In The Garden Now .. Hardy Cyclamen

Cyclamen coum ‘Silver Form’

Cyclamen ‘Silver Form’ 

Text and photo by Victoria Gilleland

In fall when most perennials are going down for the winter, hardy cyclamen are sending up wiry stems with brightly colored nodding flowers to brighten the fall and winter garden. Cyclamen are on a different growth cycle than most perennials. Flowers come up in late fall or early winter, followed by leaves, and then dormancy with no flowers or leaves visible by spring. Come fall the growth cycle repeats. These perennials return reliably and are easy to grow in northwest gardens.

Silver Form Hardy Cyclamen has bright pink flowers on 3 to 4 inches red stems with silver foliage edged in green. This color combination stands out in the winter garden when they are in bloom. Cyclamen prefer dry shade during their summer dormancy and need little moisture throughout the rest of the year. They grow very nicely under our Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar trees.  

If you add cyclamen to your garden be sure you place them near a path you use frequently in winter or in a spot in the garden you can view readily from inside your home. Remember that they will be blooming in late fall and winter when you are less likely to be walking through the garden. 

Cyclamen bring intense color to the garden when we need it most … winter. Watch for this wonderful plant in neighborhood gardens or plant some in a shady corner of your garden.

(Botanical Name:  Cyclamen coum ‘Silver Form’)

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 20 years.