Every year at holiday time, florists’ cyclamen, known as Cyclamen persicum hybrids, proliferate in all the places that sell plants. Their bright colors–reds, pinks, purples, white and bi-colors—and showy, orchid-like blooms make them the ideal holiday eye candy. I generally buy one or two, either for my own house or as gifts for friends. Being … Read more
The world is full of beautiful flowers, but the most beautiful ones have fragrance to match their good looks. That is why I always thought colorful, beruffled florists’ cyclamens, also known as Cyclamen persicum, were just a little lacking. The selective breeding that transformed an eastern Mediterranean wildflower into a modern-day floral celebrity resulted in … Read more
This is the time of year when many of us who love leafy things start thinking about ordering holiday plants, flowers and greenery for our nears, dears, business contacts and clients. The nurseries, catalogs and websites are full of ideas, but before you spend the money to give something green, it’s a good idea to … Read more
I love giving plants at holiday time. It fits with my horticultural sensibility. Most people appreciate a blooming plant, especially one that will continue to add color and/or interest after the holiday baubles go back in their boxes. But with plants as with all gifts, it is important to match the gift to the recipient. … Read more
CYCLAMEN Florists’ cyclamen—Cyclamen persicum–are great imposters. Despite the Latin name, they do not hail from Persia or modern-day Iran. The flowers look more like orchids than their primrose-family affiliation might suggest, and their leaves, when massed together, look less like foliage and more like marble or damask fabric. Beguiling plant buyers with their ravishing … Read more
