Quick Guide: summer, hardy, semi-shade, height: 10cm/4in, width: 10-15cm/4-6in

Hardy cyclamens are cousins of the familiar flowering houseplant Cyclamen persicum. They are diminutive but charming plants and once established they flower for years. The beautifully marked foliage makes long-lasting ground cover in shady corners. C. neapolitanum is the best species for this purpose, with flowers in various shades of pink appearing from late summer to late autumn. The deep green leaves are variable in shape - the alternative name, C. bederifolium, reflects their occasional resemblance to ivy - but are always streaked silver, and red on the underside.

GROWING Plant the tubers in late summer/early autumn in clusters barely covered with soil. Well-drained soil containing plenty of well-rotted organic matter is best. Choose a shady site sheltered from wind. Mulch annually with a 2.5cm/1 in layer of leaf mould when the foliage has died down.

PROPAGATION As offsets are not produced, cyclamens must be increased from seed. Collect ripe seed in summer and sow in early autumn in pots of seed compost kept in a ventilated cold frame. Prick the seedlings out into small pots of potting compost. Overwinter in a cold frame and plant out in late spring.

VARIETIES C. n. `Album' is a white form.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Generally trouble-free.