Buying cyclamen coum

Garden noob · February 2017

I came across a cyclamen coum for the first time recently (I'm new to this!). I think it's incredibly pretty and love the thought of the beautiful flowers in the winter months. It's also well-suited to our north-facing garden.

I see it's available to buy now, but is now the best time to buy it?

And which variety should I consider buying? I plan to put it in a raised bed along the West fence close to a bush, so relatively well drained and shady. Bonus points for hardiness and easy-to-grow.

Fairygirl · February 2017

Coum is usually better in damper ground, but should be fine once established. You'd probably be better buying as a plant if available now, as it might be easier to get going, as opposed to bulbs later in the year. Hederifolium might be better for the site you have, but it's really a question of getting the soil right and choosing appropriately.

Is there a reason why you don't think it's better to buy now? You can see the flower colour which is always a bonus

Buttercupdays · February 2017

I bought mine as corms from Peter Nyssen and they flowered the first year after planting - they are flowering now. Probably cheaper as corms than as potted plants, and I have never seen potted coum at ordinary garden outlets, you would likely need somewhere more specialised.

My Hederifolium are also flowering now, though they flowered in the Autumn too. I have had them for longer though. If you bought some of each, you could mix them and extend the flowering period, as they like similar conditions. My coum are growing under a holly tree, shaded, but on a well-drained bank, the others under conifer shelter , again on a dryish bank. (in so far as anything in this garden is ever 'dry')!

Last edited: 25 February 2017 08:39:50

nutcutlet · February 2017

Buy when in flower to see colour of leaves and flowers. I find it grows anywhere well-drained. If it does better in moist places for Fairy that suggests it will grow in either.

Seeds around and has put itself in places where I wouldn't have put it. Dead easy but not from dried out corms in bags at the GC. Very good at seeding into cracks in paving and right up against tree trunks.

Fairygirl · February 2017

Like B'cupdays - never anywhere terribly dry here - even under large conifers!

I had some white cyclamen hederifolium round the corner but I haven't bought any for this garden - yet . They would fit in well

Fairygirl · February 2017

I should have added that coum usually doesn't last long up here. The cold and wet probably doesn't help right enough, but even in a sheltered spot they don't do that well. I've treated them more as an annual in the past.

I wouldn't buy them out of choice now as there are other, easier plants for this time of year

nutcutlet · February 2017

They do better here Fairy, almost reached weed status I have seedlings coming up in grass paths and in cracks in paving

But the more they seed the better.

Last edited: 25 February 2017 09:11:27

Dovefromabove · February 2017

Fairygirl says:
... I had some white cyclamen hederifolium round the corner but I haven't bought any for this garden - yet . They would fit in well

Don't buy any FG - you have a PM.

Dovefromabove · February 2017

Buttercupdays - there's loads of pots of coum in Notcutts GCs at the moment, if you have any near you and you want some. I did look at the price - can't remember what it was but it wasn't extortionate.

Redwing · February 2017

I think it's best to buy plants in pots now rather than as corms in the autumn. I have found that it's pretty hit and miss with the corms. Only about half of them survive and you don't know the colour. Much better to buy plants now as you know you can see if you are getting a healthy plant; also as Nut says, you can see the colours.

Fairygirl · February 2017

Thanks Dove - I've replied

I'm just back from the nursery - they had loads, but I resisted temptation

They're all beautiful nut - hederifolium is more suited to my conditions. I think if I buy coum again, I'll either have to have it in pots and overwinter it ( can't be a**ed with that ) or buy it as an annual.

Used some for the courtyard table thingy at last house when selling. Still have the alpine dish and the sempervivums

Buying cyclamen coum

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