Get beautiful color during the winter months by planting Cyclamen. It is native to the Mediterranean region from Spain to east of Iran, and also in northeast Africa. Although Cyclamen has been confused with Persian violet or primrose, it is actually in the myrsinaceae family and has nothing to do with primroses or violets.

Cyclamen are herbaceous plants with a surface or underground tuber which produces leaves and blooms during the winter months and continues to bloom until April each year. They can be propagated from seeds but usually takes between 9-18 months to reach the flowering stage. For this reason, it is best to buy the plants at a local nursery which are already established.

These garden beauties rarely do well in warm weather and they do have a dormant period during the summer months. One key feature of Cyclamen is its unusual variety of leaves and markings which range from round to oval, arrowhead shape, and ivy-leaved ones. Cyclamen is a tuberous potted plant that loves the cool weather and indirect sun light. They thrive in temperatures ranging from 55 to 65 degrees.

This gorgeous plant will give you lots of much needed color during the winter months and will continuously bloom all season long. The leaves are deep green heart-shaped with silvery marbled patterns. Cyclamen will do well if planted in the garden where winters are mild, but my advice is to plant them in containers and place them in the patio. They also do well in balconies, window boxes and large flower pots.

Caring for Cyclamen is easy as these require very little care. Just make sure that the soil if kept moist but be careful not to over water them and that they have indirect sun light. With proper light, adequate moist soil and cool temperatures, you will have beautiful color in your garden all winter long. If your garden lacks color during the long winter months, go ahead and get some Cyclamen plants and place them in your garden. To get you started, here are some Cyclamen that I am familiar with.

Hardy Cyclamen Lily Pad White – Botanical name is Cyclamen coum Lily Pad White

This hardy Cyclamen blooms continuously from December to April with gorgeous white blooms above silvery green foliage. The blooms seem to arch above the wide rounded heart shaped foliage which looks like little frogs jumping from one lily pad to the next. The leaves usually arise in autumn and are olive green shade with silver overtones. These will tolerate frost and other inclement winter conditions and around December, white blooms will appear which will continue for up to 5 months. Lily Pad White likes the shade and thrives in zones 5-9.

Hardy Cyclamen Neapolitanum – Botanical name is the same

Wow! This Cyclamen is hardy even in 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This dainty Cyclamen is ideal for planting under the shade of trees to add beauty and color to your garden. It offers masses of lilac flowers with rich dark eyes and petals curving upward above heart shaped foliage. It thrives in zones 5-9 and in the shade beneath trees and shrubs and can also be planted in containers or pots.

Hardy Cyclamen Lily Pad Pink – Botanical name is Cyclamen coum Lily Pad Pink

This Cyclamen actually tolerates frost and inclement winter weather. Recommended for the shade garden, Lily Pad Pink blooms continuously from late winter to mid spring. It has lavender-pink flowers and two tone green foliage marked with silver. Plant these in containers or large pots or even beneath trees or shrubs for a stunning winter flowering garden.

To a beautiful winter garden,
Diana

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Technorati Tags: Bulbs, container plants, Cyclamen, cyclamen seeds, Fall Gardening, flower pots, Perennials, persian violet, primrose, shade plants, tuberous plants, window boxes, winter blooming bulbs

Amaryllis is a beautiful flower that resembles a lily and usually thrives in the South but can be planted indoors in containers in colder regions. They come in many varieties and colors such as white, red, pink, salmon, orange and many others. Amaryllis flowers are very popular and in demand worldwide and favored by lots of gardeners because it blooms indoor in the winter months.

Did you know that Amaryllis can be forced to bloom in about six weeks after planting? Yes, you can plant Amaryllis bulbs in a container indoors and force them to bloom in late winter by inducing a dormant period. Since Amaryllis stalks are quite heavy when it blooms, make sure the container you use is large enough so it will not tip over. Once the plant is established indoors, you can move them outdoors or even plant them in your garden when the danger of frost is past.

The botanical name for Amaryllis is ‘Hippeastrum’ which is Greek and means ‘horseman’s star’. This specie of Amaryllis was chosen in 1837 by the honorable Reverend William Herbert who was Dean of Manchester at the time. Why he chose this name, no one really knows because Hippeastrum is native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Americas, Argentina, Mexico and the Caribbean.

 

When purchasing Amaryllis bulbs, make sure that they are firm to the touch and have a thin brown outer layers similar to an onion. Never buy bulbs that are soft or look sick or have green mold on them. To plant your Amaryllis indoors, do the following:

1. Select your bulb
2. Buy a pot or container slightly larger than the bulb
3. Fill the pot half way with potting soil
4. Place the bulb on top of the soil making sure that the top of it is exposed
5. Add more soil around the sides of the pot
6. Water so that the soil is moist but not too wet
7. Place the pot in a bright area but not in direct sun
8. Turn the pot every few days to get even light
9. Within a few weeks, a thick flower stalk should shoot up

It really is that easy to plant Amaryllis indoors and have beautiful flowers during the winter months. Here are a few of my favorites.

Amaryllis Pizzazz – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Pizzazz

Here is a beautiful Amaryllis that has huge 6-inch striped blooms with ruffled edges and starry white centers. The flowers are bright cherry red, white striping and the petals are ruffled in pure white. Truly gorgeous! The blooms are held by a sturdy 15 inch stems. Pizzazz blooms in 36 days after planting and produces 4-7 large blooms per plant and thrives in zones 8-11.

Amaryllis Snow White – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Snow White

Snow white surely fits this beautiful Amaryllis. It has huge pure white frilly blooms on 12 inch stems. The blooms reach 8 inches across and you can expect 4-7 blooms that will add beauty to your home during the winter months. Snow white blooms in 32 days after planting and thrives in zones 8-11.

Amaryllis Razzle Dazzle – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Razzle Dazzle

This Amaryllis is sometimes called candy cane because of its pin striping. It has 7 inch stripped flowers and the bulb produces up to 9 blooms per plant. Razzle Dazzle blooms 37 days after planting and thrives in zones 8-11.

Amaryllis Little Angel – Botanical name is Hippeastrum Little Angel

Little Angel produces gorgeous pure white 3 inch blooms with soft green center. This Amaryllis is ready to bloom in just 28 days after planting and thrives in zones 8-11.

To your gardening success,
Diana

Here are some other flower gardening sites that I found for you to browse. Thanks for visiting Best Flower Gardening!

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Technorati Tags: Amaryllis, Flowering Bulbs, gardening indoors, planting guide, winter blooming bulbs