Posted on 8th Apr 2010 @ 12:58 PM

Cyclamens are a firm favourite with me. I plant up my pots on the verandah in autumn and then have the most amazing colourful flowers brightening up my winter. I also bring the pots inside when we are having a dinner party or friends around, and they are much nicer then a bunch of cut flowers.

Our modern hybrid Cyclamens, came originally from Cyclamen persicum, and belongs to the primrose (Primulaceae) family, which originated in the Mediterranean, Greece, and Lebanon. In the 1600’s Europeans took the plant back with them to Europe to be used as an ornamental plant in gardens. The flower is a delicate sweet pea shape and the beautiful heart shaped leaves are marbled patterns that make an interesting feature.

Cyclamens are long flowering from April to spring and come in a range of the most vibrant, beautiful colours. They love the cooler conditions and being a perennial can be planted after flowering and they have died down, in a cool shady spot in the garden where they will start to re-grow (from tubers).

One rule to remember with cyclamens is not to water the leaves or the flowers, you can either gently lift the leaves and water the soil or have them in a pot with a saucer, which they will draw up water as needed. Keep your cyclamens under cover to maintain beautiful flowers in winter, such as on a verandah. They can be brought inside, as long it is not to hot and stuffy.

If your looking for a perfect present for Mothers Day then you can’t go past a Cyclamen.

In store now.