Plant some Autumn and Winter Interest in your Garden - Cyclamen coum

Woohoo!

I've got that Friday feeling again! Oh, maybe that's because

IT IS FRIDAY!

If you've been following my Friday Plant File then should know all about

Rhus typhina

Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea'

Sedum spectabile 'Autumn Joy' and

Carex buchananii

What's that you say? You don't know about them! Well, shame on you and get yourself to my archives to read up on them! Only joking...you don't have to if you don't want to! (Although, you will learn about a few plants that will provide you with good Autumn and Winter colour!)

For those of you wanting more, today I'm going to look at bulbs that will flower along side these plants during their most attractive time of year -Autumn/Winter.

Today's plant is:

Cyclamen Coum

Deciduous or Evergreen: N/A

Design Function: Ground Cover

Form and Shape: Rounded mound

Texture of Leaves: Round, veined and glossy

Colour of Foliage: Dark green and variegated

Colour of Bark: N/A

Colour of Flowers: Pink,Carmine or White on tall (3-4inch) stems

Main Season of Interest: Midwinter to Early Spring

Horticultural Information:

Country of Origin: SE Europe/W Asia

Soil Type preferred: Humus-rich and well-drained

Aspect preferred: Sheltered

Height and Spread at 5 years: N/A

Height and Spread at maturity: 8-10cms

Common Problems: Will rot in wet conditions

What I personally think about Cyclamen coum

These bulbs are really attractive during months of the year when not much else is flowering. Their cheerful little flower heads will brighten any dark corner of a garden and work well planted under trees or somewhere with protection from the rain. Cyclamen coum will, if in a good situation, naturalise beautifully and you can create a lovely woodland feel.

Cyclamen coum can usually be found in the alpine or rockery plant section in garden centres and shouldn't be mistaken for the "mini cyclamen" that are for sale in the bedding plant areas. Although these bedding varieties look very similar, they are not frost hardy and will most likely perish after the autumn, leaving you with a rotting pile of leaves.

Friday's Plant of the Week- Carex buchananii

Another week is coming to an end and so we need to add another plant to your file.

This week I've chosen a grass to look at which can be planted with our previous plants; Rhus typhina, Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea' and Sedum spectable 'Autumn Joy' to provide you with a fantastic display of autumn interest.

This Friday's plant is:

Carex buchananii

Deciduous or Evergreen: Deciduous

Design Function: Ground Cover, Architectural

Form and Shape: Round, spiky mound of arching leaves

Texture of Leaves: Smooth with course edges

Colour of Foliage: Bronze

Colour of bark: N/A

Colour of flowers: Brown

Main Season of Interest: Autumn

Horticultural Information:

Country of Origin: New Zealand

Soil Type Preferred: Moist, well-drained

Aspect Preferred: Sun or Shade

Height and Spread at 5 years: 75cm x 90cm

Height and Spread at Maturity: 75cm x 90cm

Other notable Cultivars of Species: Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' (Gold-green striped leaves)

My Personal Opinion of Carex buchananii

In the past I've never really been a fan of grasses. I always thought that they were too messy! However, I planted Carex buchannii in a gravel path and it has performed beautifully. It takes the harsh edge away from the path and creates a more relaxed, informal atmosphere to the garden. It also looks fab all year round, which is a bonus. I believe you can plant it next to pretty much any thing and it will enhance whatever it is surrounded by. Easy to care for, this grass just gets on with things!