Cyclamen, often known as a potted ornamental plant, can also flourish in your garden as perennial beauties. While many are familiar with the delicate potted cyclamen varieties that require careful indoor placement, there are hardier species that can thrive outdoors year-round. Let’s explore these garden-friendly cyclamen species and how they can add charm to your outdoor space.
Cultivating Cyclamen: A Garden Selection Guide
Most people are acquainted with cyclamen as a potted ornamental plant, often struggling to keep it from wilting too quickly. However, there are species that can transform your garden into a year-round wonderland.
At the end of summer, we acquired a mini cyclamen and decided to plant it in our garden, next to a thuja tree. To our delight, it continued to adorn our garden even into early November. This particular species, known as florist’s cyclamen or Persian cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), is not frost-tolerant, making it unsuitable for colder climates.
Discovering the Woodland Cyclamen Species
One particular cyclamen species, the Alpine cyclamen, European cyclamen or purple cyclamen (Cyclamen purpurascens), shares a resemblance with the mini cyclamen but boasts much more fragrant flowers. Alpine cyclamen, unlike its delicate counterparts, can withstand frost, offering the hope of a garden adorned with its beauty year after year.
This resilient species thrives in slightly shady, damp locations and pairs splendidly with evergreens. However, it’s important to note that wild specimens of this species should not be transplanted into your garden, as they are protected plants. You can easily find cyclamen tubers for sale in garden stores or online, allowing you to introduce this charming addition to your outdoor space.
Unveiling the Charm of Ivy-Leaved Cyclamen
The ivy-leaved cyclamen or sowbread (Cyclamen hederifolium) is a delightful late autumn guest, gracing your garden with its purple-pink or white blossoms. This diminutive species, standing at a mere 10-15 cm (4-6 inches), features relatively small flowers, but it compensates with its stunning, patterned leaves. Best of all, it’s incredibly frost-tolerant, making it an ideal choice for gardens in colder climates.
You can easily acquire ivy-leaved cyclamen from online bulbous and tuberous plant shops or garden centers, where it is often available as potted or container plants. Planting this charming variety can infuse your garden with beauty even as the seasons change.
Embrace Cyclamen Diversity in Your Garden
When it comes to cyclamen in your garden, variety matters. While the familiar potted cyclamen adds indoor charm, there are hardier species like the European cyclamen and the ivy-leaved cyclamen that can thrive outdoors, gracing your garden with their blossoms and decorative foliage. Whether you’re seeking fragrant flowers or frost-resistant elegance, these garden-friendly cyclamen varieties have something to offer, making your outdoor space more enchanting year after year. So, take the opportunity to diversify your garden with these captivating cyclamen species!
