Thursday, September 17, 2009

Hardy Cyclamen Unfurling

Isn't this a charmer?
There's another to the left (under the astilbe)
I don't know why there are some leaves without flowers...

...and some flowers without leaves.

These are on the west side of the bed - getting a little evening sunshine.
(The photo's not as clear, but I like the contrast.)
Isn't it interesting how the blossoms unfurl?

Poetry in (slow) motion.
:-)

16 comments:

Sylvana said...

I want cyclamen. I don't know if they would overwinter here though.

Anonymous said...

My cyclamen are blooming--no leaves yet. Do yours have a fragrance? Mine smell like Lily of the Valley.

Kathleen said...

Oh those are beautiful and the buds sure are unique. I've looked and looked at them but never bought any bulbs. Once again, I'm wondering why not? They would be so nice in the garden, just as they are in yours.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What joy. I have tried to grow these a couple of times. It hasn't happened yet. I think it is too dry here in my shade.

Rosemary said...

I too have tried cyclamen with out success, way to go..... love the toad lilies. Will look for them next spring.

Gail said...

One of my favorite plants for surprising me all autumn! I feel honored that they are happy in my garden. Don't you love the mottled leaves. gail

VW said...

Cyclamen flowers have always fascinated me with their danceresque (just made that word up) elegant. So dainty. but the variegated leaves are scrumptious, too. I'm definitely planting some of these when my shade trees mature!

Shady Gardener said...

Sylvana, The blossoms are Very Very tiny! :-) As for overwintering in Wisconsin... you'll have to do some reading!

Grace! Believe it or not, I didn't try smelling them!! I'll go right out this afternoon and do that very thing! (Talk about a "fanny-up" exercise!) lol!

Kathleen, You would truly love them. I have to tell you that, right now, not all the bulbs I planted are growing yet. The blossoms are so very tiny, you'll want to put them where you'll be sure to see them!! :-)

Lisa, I'm sorry they haven't worked for you. I'm veeling very fortunate that they're blooming here!

Rosemary, I've done two plantings... and not all of them are growing, yet. I'll be watching, though! :-)

Gail, I do love the leaves. They're so unique, aren't they? Iowa Boy is the one that inspired me to plant a few of these.
Arum Italicum leaves are also very unique.

VW, I love making a Wish List. You don't have to be in a hurry to get them, but at least you have the list, so you don't forget! :-) You will love these little girls! And I love your new word. Very appropriate.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

I love Cyclamen! They are so charming. I had them in my old garden (where there were no squirrels.) I tried them here, but the squirrels dug them up & ate them, the rotten little pigs.

Deborah at Kilbourne Grove said...

The first time I saw hardy cyclamen was at Sissinghurst. We visited in September and I came around a corner to find a huge mass of them under a tree. I have always wanted to duplicate that picture, but have never had any luck getting them to grow. I think my garden must be too dry.

Shady Gardener said...

MMD, I understand completely. It will be interesting to see if I have any tulips next Spring! (If it's not the squirrels it's those striped chipmunks!)

Deborah, I cannot be certain about the conditions it takes to grow these little beauties. I do see a recurrent theme in the comments about dryness. I've only planted them over the last 2 years. We have had a lot of rain these past two summers, so perhaps that's why they're growing?
Thanks for your visit. :-)

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I've never grown those. They are interesting looking.

Shady Gardener said...

Sue, They are interesting - very delicate and pretty. :-)

Kylee Baumle said...

It's so hard to get a good picture of these little guys in bloom. They are so pale lavender/pink, it's like photographing white things. The delicate shading gets lost. But you've done a pretty good job of it! I need to go check to see if mine are emerging yet.

I bought a new one in August and it's got some flower buds not yet open. I'll be posting on it when they do!

I just love the foliage on these, don't you? Great post!

Frances said...

That leaf is amazing! This is something I have never grown, not having much shade, but love the flowers and especially those leaves! :-)
Frances

Shady Gardener said...

Kylee, You are absolutely right about trying to photograph such a light-colored flower. I was pretty pleased that some of them came out as well as they did. I'll be watching for your post.

Frances, I know you would love these little fellows? At the foot or under a bench, even? :-)