Cyclamen hederifolium - Herbaceous Plants,Perennial - Neapolitan Cyclamen , Sowbread Page

Cyclamen hederifolium, also known as Neapolitan Cyclamen or Sowbread, is a hardy and vigorous plant that prefers a cool habitat and a well-drained humus rich soil. It can be easily grown in a stony leafy soil in sun or shade and thrives in the light shade of trees. With vine-like leaves and beautifully colored flowers that range from pinks to reds to whites, this tuberous herb is a very ornamental addition to any garden. The leaves, which appear after the flowers, are often marked with silvery patches. The plant is dormant during the summer and grows during the cooler half of the year, although dormancy is shorter in cooler climates. Cyclamen hederifolium is the most widely cultivated and hardy cyclamen species, and can be found in woodlands and rocky areas in the Mediterranean region, from southern France to western Turkey, as well as on Mediterranean islands. Its hardiness and attractiveness have earned it the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.