By Mark Lyke
Flowering plants in winter are not the norm. The silver kaleidoscope of color on their leaves, along with the small fairy shaped flowers, brings joy on a dark rainy winter day. With a Mediterranean climate, Cyclamen feel right at home in this cool, wet, winter weather.
Cyclamen are tuberous, herbaceous perennials that look very similar to a begonia tuber. There are 23 species currently recognized in the genus Cyclamen. The two easiest to grow in the Pacific NW are the species hederifolium (pictured below) and coum that are currently in bloom in winter. The 23 species could provide blooming cyclamen every month of the year.
Historically, the Greek doctor Pedanius Dioscorides documented the medical use of cyclamen as a purgative that could aid in speeding up the delivery of babies to abortion. Others thought it would stimulate the re-growth of hair or cause you to fall madly in love. Actually the tubers are poisonous to humans and can cause diarrhea or death.
Your tubers should be planted in a shallow 1-2 inch deep hole. If you plant too deeply they will not flower. They will establish quicker if planted in winter during the growth stage. You can plant cyclamen in dry shade without any problems; their root system will not compete with other plants. Cyclamen make great container plants, too. Place them in a high traffic area where they can be observed easily.
Stop in and select a winter flowering coum from Lakewold’s Garden Shop. Let’s face it, it’s cheaper to buy a few blooming Cyclamen coum from our garden shop than it is to purchase a trip to the Mediterranean islands to lift our spirits at this time of year!
Facts:
- Family: Myrsinaceae /Primulaceae
- Plant type: Low growing in dry shade
- Foliage type: ivy or kidney shaped,
- Height: maximum of 6 inches
- Plant spread: Slowly naturalizing under trees
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 5-9
- Flower color: shades of white, pink or purple
- Sun/light exposure: Partial Shade to part sun
- Water requirements: Average to dry
Available at Lakewold’s Garden Shop, 12317 Gravelly Lake Drive SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.
Winter Hours are currently Fridays from 10am to 4pm.