Cyclamen persicum – Purple Autumn & Winter Bedding (2 Plants in Pink Ceramic Polka Dot Wellies)

Purple cyclamen bring rich colour to autumn and winter, and here two of them come ready planted in a pink ceramic polka dot welly with a moss finish. It is a cheerful, characterful gift, or a bright addition to a seasonal display on a doorstep or patio.

The two Cyclamen persicum plants are growing together in the welly and arrive in it, so there is no potting or preparation to do. The deep purple to violet-pink flowers have swept-back petals and sit above heart-shaped, dark green leaves with silver marbling, giving long-lasting colour from autumn through to spring.

Stand it in a sheltered, partly shaded spot out of cold wind, such as a porch, a doorstep or a patio table. These cyclamen are not hardy. They will take a light frost in a sheltered spot, but a hard or prolonged frost will kill them, so treat them as one season of autumn and winter colour.

Water around the edge of the pot rather than into the crown, and keep the compost just moist, as overwatering is the most common cause of decline. Pull off spent flowers with their stalks and remove yellowing leaves to keep the blooms coming. The tubers should not be eaten. As these are natural plants, flower size, colour depth and leaf marbling vary slightly from plant to plant.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Florist's Cyclamen, Persian Cyclamen
• Botanical Name: Cyclamen persicum
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: Approx. 20-30cm tall and 20-30cm wide (variety dependent)
• Growth Habit: Compact and low-growing, with upswept flowers above marbled foliage
• Perfect For: Doorsteps, porches, patios, seasonal displays, gift giving
• Foliage: Heart-shaped, dark green leaves with silver marbling
• Flowering Time: Autumn through to spring
• Flower Colour: Deep purple to violet-pink
• Planting Position: Partial shade in a sheltered spot, out of cold wind
• Hardiness: Not hardy. Tolerates a light frost in a sheltered spot, but a hard frost kills it
• Maintenance: Keep compost just moist, water at the edge of the pot and remove spent flowers
• Seasonal Interest: Autumn, winter and spring
• Type: Tender seasonal bedding plant