Conifer, White Cyclamen & Silver Ivy – Autumn and Winter Display (Pre-Planted Grey Olive Planter)

This ready planted autumn and winter container gives instant seasonal colour for a doorstep, patio or porch. A white cyclamen, silver variegated ivy and a compact conifer are planted together in a 23cm grey planter with olive embossing and a moss finish, so it arrives ready to display.

The white florist's cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) carries delicate flowers above heart-shaped, silver-marbled leaves from autumn through to early spring. The silver variegated ivy (Hedera helix) trails over the rim for texture and contrast, while the evergreen conifer gives year-round structure. A moss finish between the plants completes the look.

The plants are growing together in the planter and arrive in it, so there is no potting to do. Place it in a bright, sheltered spot out of cold wind, in light shade or a porch, and keep the compost moist but never waterlogged. Water the cyclamen from the base and avoid wetting the tuber or leaves. Because the florist's cyclamen is not fully hardy, this is a seasonal display that gives one season of colour: it will cope with a light frost in a sheltered spot, but a hard or prolonged frost will kill it, so move it under cover in severe weather.

Remove spent cyclamen flowers to encourage more blooms. When the display is over in spring, the ivy and conifer can be planted out in the garden or moved to a larger container. Plant varieties and exact compositions may vary slightly with seasonal availability, while keeping the same style and colour palette.

Cyclamen tubers should not be eaten, and ivy is harmful if eaten, with sap that can irritate skin.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Autumn and winter planter with white cyclamen, silver ivy and conifer
• Growth Habit: Compact, mounding and trailing
• Perfect For: Doorsteps, porches, patios and sheltered containers
• Foliage: Silver-marbled cyclamen leaves, silver and green variegated ivy, evergreen conifer
• Flowering Time: Autumn through to early spring
• Flower Colour: White
• Planting Position: Partial shade, in a sheltered spot out of cold wind
• Hardiness: Not hardy as a whole; the cyclamen is killed by a hard frost
• Maintenance: Water regularly, remove spent flowers
• Seasonal Interest: Autumn and winter
• Botanical Name: Cyclamen persicum, Hedera helix