Cyclamen hederifolium var. hederifolium f. albiflorum (Ivy-Leaved Cyclamen)

Popping up in the fall garden when most plants have finished blooming, award-winning Cyclamen hederifolium var. hederifolium f. albiflorum (Ivy-Leaved Cyclamen) is a tuberous perennial which creates a captivating sight when massed. Opening before or with the leaves, elegant nodding pure white flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), with gracefully upswept petals rise above the foliage in late summer to mid-fall. The variegated foliage is also decorative with its large, ivy-shaped leaves marbled with silvery-green patterns. Long-lasting, it creates an almost evergreen groundcover and adds color and beauty to the garden during the winter months and well into spring before dying back in the summer.

• Growing up to 4-6 inches tall (10-15 cm) and 6-12 in. wide (15-30 cm), it will self-seed and naturalize freely if left undisturbed.
• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
• Easily grown in moderately fertile, humus-rich, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerant of all average garden soils, this Cyclamen can also grow in areas with more sun. Cover the plants with mulch when the leaves wither. Do not water excessively in the summer (dormant period) to avoid rot problems. Tolerates dry soil under trees
• Deer, drought, and dry soil tolerant
• Low maintenance, it doesn’t need weeding or deadheading!
• Best planted en masse in front of shrubs, around trees, or in rock gardens. Also, great in woodlands or containers.
• Watch for mice and squirrels.
• Propagate by seed, sown in darkness as soon as ripe. Can be beneficial to soak the seed for 10 hours before sowing.
• Native to Turkey, Greek Islands.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Cyclamen are low-growing tuberous perennials with delicate, winged ‘butterfly’ flowers in shades of pink to white, and dark green leaves that are beautifully shaped like ivy and marked with a lovely silver. Some species flower early in the year, while others wait until late summer, sending up successive waves of attractive blooms into early fall. Easy to grow, there are about 20 species of cyclamen and almost all of them are native to the Mediterranean.