SOWBREAD
Family PRIMULACEAE
Cyclamen species
Perennial
This genus is native to Central and southern
Europe and countries bordering the Mediterranean.
It includes both tender and hardy species.
Of the hardy species Cyclamen orbiculatum, from the
Caucasus and Asia Minor, reaches three inches
high, having rounded leaves. The flowers vary
from purple-rose to white, appearing from December
to March.
Cyclamen europaeum has purplish-red fragrant flowers;
blooms from June to October.
Cyclamen ibericum (syn. Cyclamen vernum), the
Caucasus, had white and purple flowers in late
winter.
Cyclamen neapolitanum has flowers
pink or white in colour in August and September.
Cyclamen are shades lovers, and the corms should
be planted in a leafy soil, leaving the top portion
just above ground level; perfect drainage is essential
and the introduction of limestone rubble is beneficial.
Plant from June to November, and bed the base
of each tuber in sand.
Propagation is from seed, or by cutting the old
corms to pieces, each with en eye.
The flowering season varies according to the species
as detailed above.
See also: Cyclamen
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