As the garden shifts into autumn, there’s one plant that never fails to brighten the season: Cyclamen. With their elegant flowers and patterned foliage, they bring colour and charm through the colder months — whether in pots by the door, window boxes, or tucked into a shady corner of the garden.
Why Cyclamen Deserve a Spot This Season
Cold-weather colour
Cyclamen are among the few plants that bloom reliably through autumn and winter, adding vibrant reds, pinks, whites, and purples just when the garden needs it most.
Decorative foliage
Heart-shaped leaves, often beautifully marbled in silver and green, give interest even when flowers aren’t in bloom.
Two Types of Cyclamen
Here at Radway Bridge Garden Centre, we stock two main types of cyclamen to suit different gardening needs:
Bedding Cyclamen
Perfect for pots, baskets, and borders.
These varieties are grown for their dazzling colour and compact habit.
Best enjoyed for the season — plant them where you want a big splash of autumn and winter brightness.
Perennial Cyclamen
Hardy outdoor types that will return year after year.
Ideal for naturalising under trees, along shady paths, or in woodland-style planting.
Once established, they spread gently to form long-lasting carpets of foliage and flowers.
Planting & Growing Tips
When to plant: Autumn is the ideal time to set cyclamen, so they can settle before the winter cold.
Where to plant:
- Bedding types thrive in pots, containers, or sheltered spots.
- Perennial types prefer dappled shade beneath trees or shrubs.
- Soil: Well-drained soil is essential to keep corms healthy and rot-free.
Watering: Water sparingly and avoid wetting the crown. For pots, bottom watering works best.
Care Through the Seasons
- During flowering: Remove faded flowers and yellowing leaves by twisting gently at the base. This keeps plants tidy and healthy.
- Feeding: Use a diluted, low-nitrogen liquid feed every few weeks during active growth.
- Dormant phase: Perennial types will naturally die back in summer — reduce watering and allow them to rest until fresh shoots appear in autumn.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for bold, seasonal colour with bedding cyclamen, or something more long-lasting and naturalising with perennials, these versatile plants add a magical touch to autumn and winter gardens. With just a little care, cyclamen will reward you with colour, charm, and that much-needed cheer through the darker months.
