<b>Trees, Ornamental & Bedding Plant:</b> Sturdy Cyclamen

More landscapers, especially in southern and coastal climates – who are not subjected to extended freezing periods – are moving to cyclamen for landscape installations.

Cyclamen exhibit an air of sophistication unlike any other bedding crop. Their mounding growth habit requires little to no maintenance. And because of the longevity of cyclamen, many landscapers find them more economical than other flowering plants for installations. It’s sometimes possible to eliminate a turn, saving on labor and plant material in the long run.

Varieties to Consider
Intermediate-sized varieties of cyclamen, such as Laser and Canto, are the most popular types used in landscapes. These varieties are a hybrid cross between miniature and standard sizes, which creates a synergy that makes the plants sturdier in the garden and more tolerant of adverse weather conditions than other classes of cyclamen. Standard types, such as Sierra, with larger blooms and a larger plant habit than the intermediates are becoming popular for landscapers looking for more visual impact.

Laser Synchro Wine Flame. Photo: Syngenta FlowersCulture Information
Cyclamen prefer cool temperatures between 55 to 75 degrees, but tolerate temperatures as low as 30 degrees and as high as 85 degrees if planted in a protected area. In naturally cool areas, such as coastal regions, they can be planted in full sun, but are best suited to shady areas protected from environmental extremes.

In areas that experience hard freezes, landscapers can extend the longevity of cyclamen by planting them in a protected area near a building. In areas that experience mild winters but warm up in early spring, they are best planted in a landscape protected from the afternoon sun. Like most flowering plants, cyclamen prefer well-drained soil.

The author is technical specialist manager for Syngenta Flowers.