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Cyclamen coum

Image of Cyclamen coum

James H. Schutte

Family

Primulaceae

Botanical Name

Cyclamen coum

Plant Common Name

Eastern Cyclamen, Perennial Cyclamen

General Description

The charming flowers and elegant foliage of this hardy cyclamen are highlights of the winter garden. A low, clump-forming, tuberous perennial, it is native from eastern Bulgaria to western Azerbaijan, with disjunct subspecies in Northwest Iran and the Levant.

Relatively small, fuzzy tubers shaped like cheese wheels give rise in autumn to deep green, kidney-shaped to heart-shaped leaves with scalloped or toothed margins. The leaves of some plants have striking silver or pewter markings. The foliage remains attractive until dying back in mid to late spring. Pink, rose, magenta, or white flowers with five rounded to oval, backswept, shooting-star petals unfurl on short stalks during mild spells in winter or early spring. The petals usually have a white or pink eye-mark at the base. Although typically unscented, the flowers are sometimes sweetly fragrant. The flower stalks coil back to the ground as the spherical seed capsules develop. This cyclamen forms colonies via the actions of ants, which harvest and distribute the sugary-coated seeds.

As with most garden cyclamens, C. coum likes it bright, moist, and chilly in winter and relatively dry in summer. Plant the tubers in late summer or spring at a depth equal to or greater than their width. Well-drained, humus-rich, slightly acid to slightly alkaline soil works best. Plants grow well amid the roots of shrubs and trees. This cyclamen also makes an excellent choice for a rock garden, trough, or pot. Plant it in masses for best effect.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Bulb or Corm or Tuber

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    4"-8" / 10.2cm - 20.3cm

  • Width

    4"-8" / 10.2cm - 20.3cm

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Late Fall, Early Winter, Winter, Late Winter

  • Native To

    Eastern Europe, Turkey, Western Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Pink, Light Pink, Hot Pink, Magenta, Fuchsia, Rose

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Blue Green, Dark Green, Silver

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Blue Green, Dark Green, Silver

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Blue Green, Dark Green, Silver

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    SpottedMottled

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Alpine, Container, Cutflower, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes