Here’s a little big of news for Cyclamen lovers!! Just recently, Morel Flowers, the long-established French breeding company, has expanded their cyclamen range— having already transformed the world of Persicum types. Following a partnership with botanical cyclamen experts Koen in the Netherlands, they now have a growing range of tough, outdoor botanical cyclamen, the type that naturalise under trees and are grown in rock gardens. In this article, we are going to discuss the differences between the autumn flowering and spring flowering types, as they can sometimes get confused…

These botanical cyclamen are a different garden proposition from the pot cyclamen which you might be used to seeing. Two species are especially important for outdoor use in temperate gardens: Cyclamen hederifolium (often called the ivy-leaf cyclamen) and Cyclamen coum (sometimes written “koum” in horticultural trade).

They are hardy, tuberous perennials that disappear for part of the year and then return with distinct seasonal habits — and Morel’s botanical breeding emphasises predictable flowering, consistent foliage patterns and resilience in garden conditions. Their Cyclamen hederifolium work is being released under the series Lify®, whilst their Cyclamem coum are named as Koumy®.

Hederifolium vs coum — clear botanical differences

Although both species are small, tuberous and prized for their winter, spring or autumn flowers, there are several reliable ways to tell them apart and to choose which suits your own garden:

Flowering season and habit:

Cyclamen hederifolium typically flowers from late summer into autumn; its growth cycle suits shady borders where leaves and flowers appear in autumn and persist through milder winters.

Cyclamen coum, by contrast, flowers in winter into early spring, often providing colour when little else is in bloom. This seasonal offset makes them complementary planting partners. 

Leaf shape and patterning:

Hederifolium is named for its ivy-like leaves (Hedera being the Latin word for Ivy): many forms show angular, lobed or often sharply pointed leaves with dramatic variegation (sometimes even in a “Christmas-tree” shape!).

Coum leaves tend to be rounder or more kidney-shaped, often with a smoother margin and different variegation patterns.

Gardeners who prize striking foliage variety will find a wide palette among hederifolium forms, whilst those seeking a low, neat groundcover often favour coum. 

Flower form:

The petals on hederifolium are usually longer and more tapered; flowers often show a streaky V or auricled pattern at the nose.

Coum flowers are squatter, almost round in petal outline, and they typically have a distinctive M-shaped darker blotch at the base with one or two small “eyes” beneath. These petal proportions and nose markings are helpful field marks when the plants are in bloom. 

Hardiness and growing:

Both species are hardy in many temperate zones, but coum is especially noted for its ability to flower in quite cold weather, often with blooms appearing while snow is on the ground.

Hederifolium is equally hardy in many settings but is more associated with autumn flowering and rapid spread beneath deciduous canopy where its leaves appear as trees lose foliage.

Botanical cyclamen generally hide through the hottest months and then reappear as a neat carpet of leaves and flowers when the season suits them.

But don’t relegate them to just growing in the ground – think differently by planting into tabletop planters or window boxes! They combine well with decorative silver foliage, or maybe even conifers!

Breeders such as Morel Flowers are taking the traditional species and traits and refining them for today’s gardens and growers. Their work looks to improve uniformity, flowering length and cold tolerance while keeping the charms of these botanical beauties.

Find out more at https://morelflowers.com/