Scientific name: Cyclamen coum
Synonym: Cyclamen orbiculatum
Family: PRIMULACEAE
Common names: “Winter cyclamen” “eastern cyclamen”
Plant Type: Tuberous perennial, Spring ephemeral
Conditions:
Zone: 5-9
Light: Full sun to Shade
Exposure: Sheltered
Soil: Moderately fertile, humus-rich well-drained soil
Moisture: Evenly moist soil that is not wet but does not dry out either
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 2-3″ W 2-4″
Leaf and Stem shape: Deep green unmarked or with silver patterns, leaves in January
Flower: Compact 1-2.5″, 5 reflex’ed twisting petals, dark pink – light pink – white
Pruning: Best if not disturbed
Maintenance: Mulch in the fall with leaf mold
Landscape use: Creates rivers of colour in the late winter/early spring, grows well under trees and shrubs
Propagate: Fresh seed sown in darkness as soon as ripe. Can be beneficial to soak seed for 10 hours prior to sowing. If purchased as tubers soak overnight and plant at 1″ depth and sideways if unsure which way is up
Pests & Disease: Mice and squirrels can be problematic, vine weevils can attack pot grown plants.
Comments: Always blooms with leaves, if planted together with C. hederiflolium, C. coum will be overwhelmed, C. hederifolium is more drought tolerant.
~AGM winner~
Cultivars: Lots of variations but for simplicity all sold as coum
Vancouver Island Grows 