Cyclamen

Most of the cyclamen we grow are in a shady position, even dryish shade. They will take more moisture but only in a well drained position. Grown as much for the patterned and coloured foliage as they are for the startled flowers, with reflexed and twisted petals, in whites through to pinks.

Hardy cyclamens are very familiar, sometimes growing outside gardens in natural grassland and woodland. However there are no native British species. All are attractive to bumblebees and solitary bees, and especially the spring-flowering species provide nectar at a time when it can be rather scarce. The seeds are dispersed by ants who carry them away and eat the sticky seed-coats, while the leaves are eaten by larvae of several larger moths.