Ivy-Leaf Cyclamen

(Cyclamen hederifolium)

Ivy-Leaf Cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium)

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Summary

Cyclamen hederifolium, commonly known as Ivy-Leaf Cyclamen, is a deciduous perennial herb native to woodland areas, rocky hillsides, and scrub in the Mediterranean region, including Southern Europe and parts of Western Asia. It is a tuberous plant that blooms in late summer to autumn, with a unique lifecycle where foliage and flowers emerge in the fall, persist through winter, and then the plant goes dormant before the summer heat. As the plant matures, the tuber can exceed 25 cm (10 in) in diameter. The leaves are variable in shape, ranging from heart-shaped to elongated and arrow-shaped, often with attractive marbling. The flowers, borne on stalks that curve elegantly upwards, are typically pink, purple, or white with a magenta V-shaped marking on the nose, though some may be pure white without markings. Some flowers emit a delicate fragrance. The species is known for its hardiness, often considered the most robust among cyclamens.

Ivy-Leaf Cyclamen is valued for its charming flowers and decorative foliage, which can provide ground cover in shaded garden areas. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its excellence for garden use. Suitable for naturalizing in woodland gardens, rockeries, and alpine gardens, it thrives under deciduous trees and shrubs, where it can form extensive colonies. It prefers part shade, requiring low to medium water and well-drained soil. While it is hardy to zone 5a, snow cover can enhance its winter survival. Gardeners should be aware that in oceanic climates, it can self-seed prolifically and may outcompete less vigorous species such as Cyclamen coum.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 0.3-0.5 feet
  • Width: 0.5-1 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Pink, Purple, White
  • Flowering Season: Fall
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Part Shade
  • Water: Low, Medium
  • Drainage: Slow, Medium

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Woodland areas, rocky hillsides, and scrub in the Mediterranean region

Other Names

Common Names: Sowbread, Persian Violet, Hardy Cyclamen, Ivy-Leaved Cyclamen, Efeublatt-Alpenveilchen, Herbst-A., Herbst-Alpenveilchen, Neapolitanisches Alpenveilchen, Cyclamen De Naples, Cyclamen À Feuilles De Lierre

Scientific Names: , Cyclamen hederifolium, Cyclamen neapolitanum var. album, Cyclamen vernum, Cyclamen aedirhizum, Cyclamen angulare, Cyclamen ficariifolium, Cyclamen insulare, Cyclamen linariifolium, Cyclamen oedirrhizum

GBIF Accepted Name: Cyclamen hederifolium Aiton