Cyclamen persicum – Red Autumn & Winter Bedding (Pre-Planted Sitting Reindeer)

This sitting reindeer planter arrives ready planted with a red cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum, the florist's cyclamen) in full bloom, bringing rich colour to autumn and winter. It makes a cheerful festive gift or a seasonal display for a porch, doorstep or sheltered patio.

Cyclamen are loved for their upswept petals and jewel-toned flowers, and the deep red blooms sit above dark green, heart-shaped leaves with silver marbling. Flowers carry on from autumn through to early spring, so this is one season of long-lasting colour.

The plants are growing together in the reindeer container and arrive in it, so no planting or preparation is needed. Stand it in a sheltered spot in partial shade, out of cold wind. It will take a light frost, but a hard or prolonged frost will kill it, so move it under cover when the weather turns severe.

Keep the compost on the dry side and water at the edge of the container rather than into the crown. Pull off spent flowers with their stalks to encourage more blooms. The tubers should not be eaten, by people or pets.

Cultural Information

• Botanical Name: Cyclamen persicum
• Common Name: Florist's Cyclamen, Persian Cyclamen
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: Approx. 20-30cm tall and 20-30cm wide (variety dependent)
• Growth Habit: Compact and mounding, with upswept flowers held above the leaves
• Perfect For: Porches, doorsteps, sheltered patios, window boxes and seasonal gifts
• Foliage: Dark green, heart-shaped leaves with silver marbling
• Flowering Time: Autumn through to early spring
• Flower Colour: Red
• Planting Position: Partial shade, sheltered from cold wind
• Hardiness: Not hardy. Tolerates a light frost in a sheltered spot, but a hard frost will kill it
• Maintenance: Low. Water at the edge of the container, keep on the dry side and remove spent flowers
• Seasonal Interest: Autumn and winter