Meet the Contributors
“This month in the garden I’ll be...”
“…enjoying the first tommy crocuses opening wide in winter sunshine.”
Helen Billiald writes about leeks, p64
“…top-dressing tubs of lily bulbs with fresh compost and controlled-release fertiliser.” Sue Fisher writes on cyclamen, p28
“…cutting back grasses and perennials to make way for new growth.”
Louise Curley explores East Lambrook, p54
“…finishing all my winter fruit tree pruning to get a great crop this year.” Adrian Thomas on wildlife webcams, p59
“…cutting back herbaceous perennials ready for when spring bulbs appear.” Louisa Gilhooly writes, p82
“…making a No dig veg bed, using cardboard as a base to beat the bindweed.”
Art Editor Gill Lockhart designs the magazine
The garden floor is the star of the show as winter tips into spring. Before trees and shrubs burst into leaf, a window of daylight shines on the ground, expectantly. Eyes down, then, for the jewel of the season, Cyclamen coum. This bewitching gem is easy to grow, shrugs off frost and snow, and is perfect for brightening up a gloomy spot. Its handsome foliage is complemented by exquisite dainty blooms with swept-back petals varying from white through shades of pink, abundantly borne on stems up to 10cm (4in) high.
Related to (but not to be confused with) modern hybrid cyclamen used for bedding and indoors, Cyclamen coum was first listed by the herbalist John Gerard in 1597. Its tubers are shaped like small flat loaves and were reputedly eaten by pigs, hence the common name of ‘sowbread’, still used today. They’re toxic to humans, so don’t try them!
This species is found around the Black Sea and the mountains bordering the north-east of the Med, where the climate is not dissimilar to ours, with plentiful winter rainfall. They’re a handy reminder that understanding a plant’s origins and hence its needs, goes a long way towards success.
C. coum is renowned for carpeting the ground in awkward spots, perfectly summed up by the gardener EA Bowles, who wrote: “I know of no other plant that will turn patches of dust under thick trees into stretches of beauty so permanently and thoroughly.” Bear in mind that beauty is seasonal: they turn dormant in summer and regrow in autumn.
These plants suit any soil apart from heavy or waterlogged ground, while on light soils, adding leafmould or composted bark improves success. Apply a thin annual mulch (2.5cm/ 1in) in late spring as the leaves die back to aid self-seeding. Over time plants often spread in a neat, well-behaved manner to spectacular effect, assisted by ants, attracted to the sticky seed coat.
To propagate them, collect seed in midsummer when the coiled stalk relaxes, soak overnight then sow in a 50/50 mix of seed compost and sharp grit, covering seed as light inhibits germination (which can take months). Stand trays in a sheltered spot outside, dusted with chilli powder to keep mice at bay. C. coum are often sold as dormant tubers, but buying cyclamen in growth gives best results, plus you can see the gorgeous variations of flower and foliage. The leaves can be rounded or heart-shaped, with markings from plain green to silver-marbled. Although the Cyclamen Society lists 35 selections, and there are 20 in the RHS Plant Finder, most are scarce or highly priced. More commonly available are silvery-leaved C. coum ‘Pewter Group’ or white-flowered C. coum ‘Album’.
This hardy cyclamen is a prime candidate to beautify awkward sites under shrubs and trees. My favourite way to get loads more colour from a small space is by removing the lowest branches of a shrub to plant a glorious tapestry of winter and early spring colour, partnering cyclamen with snowdrops, primroses, species crocus, hellebores and winter aconites. This super-adaptable plant is also excellent in wide, shallow containers, rockeries and raised beds, and naturalised in short grass. Their dainty blooms are perfect for chasing away the winter blues. ✿
This enchanting gem is perfect for brightening up a gloomy spot