GBBD: Cute Cyclamen

Can you spot which are the cyclamen leaves and those of the ivy they're named after?

Each year I'm pleased to see the return of my Cyclamen hederifolium in the front side garden. It's a bit of a miracle they survive really as my neighbour always covers them with several thick layers of leaves with his leaf blower. There were about triple the number of blooms on view, until the leaf blower made its first annual appearance at the weekend...

On the whole I don't mind my neighbour's antics as my border is benefiting from some more Compost Direct as outlined last week. However, I did worry at first my cyclamen wouldn't survive owing to the timing of their cover up. Now I see I can relax as I've spotted at last they're beginning to spread out from the spot where I planted them 10 years ago.

I don't usually go that much for pink flowers, but these are a delicate sugar pink which looks just right and helps to light up the shady spot I've given them. This morning's low slanting sunlight suits them rather well too.

We've enjoyed a mild autumn so far, but today that's set to change as the wind is due to move round to the north to reveal its more wintry side. Next week's tasks looks like they'll include cutting down the dahlia stems to make the mulch for their duvet.

How's your garden faring this Blooms Day?

 Garden Bloggers' Blooms Day is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.

Comments

  1. Jenny15 November 2013 at 08:41

    Happy Blogger Blooms Day! I'm glad your cyclamen have survived their burial and are now blooming happily :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP15 November 2013 at 09:16

      Thanks Jenny - I think I might bury their seed heads into the leaf mould later in the winter to give them a helping hand :)

      Delete
  2. Mark and Gaz15 November 2013 at 09:10

    Cyclamens are in bloom here, always a welcome treat in the autumn. Plus the foliage is fab!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP15 November 2013 at 09:15

      The foliage is indeed fab - I also have some of their more tender cousins in the garden - planted to see if they would survive - and I don't mind if they don't bloom because their silvery foliage is wonderful.

      Delete
  3. CJ15 November 2013 at 10:33

    I've got some little cyclamen that are always covered by a very blowsy peony. I've cut it right back now, and the cyclamen are doing well, although they always carry on whether or not they are covered. Touch little things. I spotted some Christmas Box in flower this week, so I think winter must be here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP16 November 2013 at 08:56

      My Christmas box is still in bud CJ, I'm looking forward to its scent too

      Delete
  4. Lea15 November 2013 at 12:56

    Lovely Cyclamen!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
    Lea

    ReplyDelete
  5. Flighty15 November 2013 at 13:16

    The cold, rain and wind have taken their toll on the plot and nearly all the flowers have now gone except for some pot marigolds and a couple of nerine bowdenii. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP16 November 2013 at 08:58

      Salvias are still doing well here Flighty, though I'm sure this weekend's forecast frost will soon change that!

      Delete
  6. Anonymous15 November 2013 at 14:15

    Beautiful cyclamen! I am starting my first cyclamen from seed this weekend, and a gardening friend sent me some plants he started as a surprise gift. Can't wait to see how they fare in my garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP16 November 2013 at 09:00

      What a lovely surprise and it means you don't have to be so patient with your seed :-)

      Delete
  7. Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax!15 November 2013 at 16:23

    It's only recently I've realised how varied cyclamen leaves are.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Pauline15 November 2013 at 16:27

    Cyclamen are such beautiful little plants, flowering at just the right time of year when everything is winding down. We have quite a lot now that their seed is being spread by ants, more and more come each year brightening shady corners and other places where I wouldn't think of putting them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP16 November 2013 at 09:02

      I didn't know about the ants spreading the seed, they have a use after all ;-)

      Delete
  9. Cerberus German shepherds15 November 2013 at 18:03

    Happy gbbd...love the cyclamen...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Janet/Plantaliscious15 November 2013 at 21:06

    I love cyclamen, and that it a beauty. I really must get my act together for next year, but it is just as well I delayed too long as I am going to have to trample all over where I would have planted them to put up a new fence thanks to the storm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP16 November 2013 at 09:05

      Sorry to hear about your storm damage Janet - I hope it hasn't affected your garden too much

      Delete
  11. Rose16 November 2013 at 14:14

    These are such sweet little blooms. I found one in my garden a few weeks ago and wasn't even sure what it was--I had forgotten I'd planted some cyclamen:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Donna@Gardens Eye View17 November 2013 at 20:29

    Such lovely flowers...nothing much here but a few surprises with our warm up of late.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP18 November 2013 at 09:07

      We still have a few blooms hanging on Donna, though I'm sure that'll change after today - winter is definitely on its way!

      Delete

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