Even after growing the hardy Cyclamen hederifolium for over five decades, I’m still amazed by the incredible diversity of leaf patterns. Since cyclamen are obligate out-crossers (they can’t have productive sex with themselves), the pattern diversity from each new crop of seedlings continues to expand. In the garden, we plant similar patterned forms nearby, resulting in somewhat consistent pattern groupings. We grow thousands from seed each year, so if you’ve ever been to one of our winter open house days, you can see this diversity in both the garden and in the nursery offerings.
Cyclamen hederifolium emerges with flower stalks, usually for us (NC), in August, and continues through Thanksgiving, at which time the foliage emerges. The foliage remain growing until spring, when it goes to sleep to rest, in preparation for the August flowering show again. Below are some of the amazing leaf diversity in the garden this month.
Amazing variety! 🙂
Wow! I haven’t been able to maintain cyclamen in the ground in North Central Texas but I do have a few with interesting leaf variations in pots that have persisted for a year or more!
That’s surprising, unless the armadillos are digging them up. Cyclamen hederifolium should love the climate there.
Wonderful examples! Thanks for the post. I grew some from NARGS seeds years ago.. still going strong and spreading!
Whoa! I’m only familiar with “florist” cyclamen that I find in November in my local nursery. I’ll check out the possibility of growing cyclamen in zone 8a. Thanks!
The flowers aren’t nearly as large as the steroid-induced florist cyclamens, but these are great performers in the garden, while the others are worthless for anything other than a short-lived table ornament.
Astounded by the variety of leaf coloration
in this species.