Beware: Cyclamen hederofolium (summer/autumn flowering) and Cyclemen coum (winter flowering) are not good companions.

This guide focusses on Cyclamen hederofolium; a perennial to 15cm, with somewhat ivy-shaped leaves patterned with silvery-green, and pink, sometimes fragrant, flowers 2.5cm in width, darker around the mouth, opening before or with the leaves which die off in spring and summer.

Before sowing, soak seeds for 8-12 hours. Sow Cyclamen indoors (greenhouse or coldframe rather than a windowsill which may bet too warm) in from February to April. Sow seed thinly on the surface of a good quality seed compost, lightly cover with compost or vermiculite and keep moist.

Place in a propagator or seal the seed tray inside a polythene bag until after germination. Cyclamen require absolute darkness and consistent temperature to germinate in a cool greenhouse or coldframe. We recommend wrapping the propagtor in tin foil or closing it inside a dark box until germination occurs. Initially, water the seeds from below and keep the soil damp but not wet and do not exclude light as they begin to grow.

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to plant outdoors in June.

They are slow to germinate (30 - 90 days) and while most will flower in year one, it can take unti the second year before you're rewarded with beautiful blooms. May self-seed freely.