About
Cyclamen mirabile 'Alba' is a tuberous perennial that typically grows to about 10 cm tall. It features rounded, dark green foliage that is intricately marbled with silvery grey and has scalloped, toothed margins. The leaves emerge either simultaneously with or shortly after the flowers in the autumn, displaying pink hairs upon opening and a purplish hue on the underside. The plant produces small, white flowers that are subtly fragrant, characterized by petals that are swept back and have a slight fringe at the tips.
About the genus
Cyclamen are perennial plants that grow from tubers and feature rounded or occasionally angular foliage, frequently displaying appealing mottled patterns. Their flowers, which are nodding and distinctive in shape, consist of five petals that are reflexed and twisted, often exhibiting dark markings near the base.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Up to 10 cm
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
- Fragrance
- Flower
- Toxicity
- Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Plant 5cm deep in moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Needs a dry site in summer, or grow under glass to protect from excessive summer moisture. See hardy cyclamen cultivation
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in darkness as soon as ripe. Can be beneficial to soak seed for 10 hours prior to sowing
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mice and squirrels
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to cyclamen grey mould, particularly when grown under glass