Cyclamen Dark Rose
A graceful woodland gem with rich pink blooms and elegant marbled foliage

Overview
Cyclamen Dark Rose is a captivating tuberous perennial prized for its vibrant rose-pink flowers and exquisitely patterned foliage. Blooming from autumn into early spring, this compact plant brings colour and charm to shady corners of the garden when little else is in flower. A variety of Cyclamen hederifolium, it thrives in woodland settings, beneath deciduous trees, or in naturalised drifts, where it gently multiplies year after year. Its low-maintenance nature, cold hardiness, and striking seasonal interest make it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking elegance in low-light or difficult areas.

Key Features

• Flowering Period: August - October

• Mature Size: 10cm tall

• Spreading: 15cm

• Growth Rate: Moderate; establishes well under suitable conditions

• Soil Requirements: Moist but well-draining humus-rich soil

• Aspect: Partial to full shade preferred

Flowers
Cyclamen Dark Rose produces a profusion of delicate, swept-back flowers in deep rose-pink shades, each perched on slender stems above the foliage. The distinctive reflexed petals resemble butterfly wings, offering a burst of colour when most summer blooms are fading. Blooms often emerge before the leaves in early autumn, creating an ethereal display amid fallen leaves and woodland settings.

Foliage
The foliage of Dark Rose is nearly as striking as its flowers. Heart- to ivy-shaped leaves emerge in autumn, richly marbled with silvery-white veining on a dark green background. This ornamental foliage persists through winter, providing ongoing visual interest even after the flowering has finished. Leaves die back in late spring as the plant enters dormancy.

Growth Habit
This cyclamen forms compact, ground-hugging clumps, gradually increasing in size over the years. It grows from a round, flattened tuber and has a graceful, naturalistic presence, making it perfect for informal or woodland-style gardens. While slow to establish, it is long-lived and can form delightful colonies in time.

Soil Requirements
Best suited to fertile, humus-rich soils that retain moisture in the autumn and winter but drain freely in summer when the plant is dormant. Avoid heavy, waterlogged sites. Incorporating leaf mould or compost before planting enhances soil structure and promotes healthy growth.

Light Requirements
Prefers partial to full shade. Ideal beneath deciduous trees or in dappled woodland conditions where it receives autumn light but summer shade. Too much sun, especially in summer, can dry out the tubers prematurely.

Watering Needs
Requires moisture during its active growth and flowering season (autumn to early spring). Once dormant in late spring, it is highly drought-tolerant and should be kept relatively dry to prevent tuber rot. Overwatering in summer is a common cause of failure.

Planting
Plant tubers 3–5cm deep, ideally in early autumn. When planting in groups, space 10–15cm apart. Works beautifully when allowed to naturalise in leaf litter beneath trees, in shady borders, or along woodland paths. Avoid disturbing established clumps once planted.

Maintenance
Very low-maintenance. Allow foliage to die back naturally in late spring. Avoid cutting back prematurely. Can be top-dressed with leaf mould annually to simulate woodland conditions. If needed, lift and divide tubers in early summer during dormancy, though it is generally best left undisturbed.

Feeding
Minimal feeding required. A light mulch of compost or leaf mould in autumn is usually sufficient. Avoid rich fertilisers, particularly those high in nitrogen, which can encourage soft, weak growth and reduce flowering.

Garden Uses

• Woodland Gardens: Perfect for shady, tree-covered spaces where it naturalises beautifully

• Shade Borders: Adds valuable colour and structure to darker corners during autumn and winter

• Naturalised Areas: Thrives under deciduous trees where leaf litter mimics its native habitat

• Containers: Ideal for pots in shaded outdoor spaces or cool conservatories

• Gravel Beds with Shade: Offers contrast and colour when planted among rocks or dry shade borders

Companion Planting
Cyclamen Dark Rose combines gracefully with ferns, hellebores, snowdrops (Galanthus), and Anemone nemorosa. The marbled leaves complement foliage plants like Brunnera and Heuchera, while the rose-pink flowers offer seasonal contrast to white and pale lavender autumn blooms.

Potential Issues
Generally trouble-free when grown in suitable conditions. Vulnerable to tuber rot if grown in poorly drained soils. Slugs and vine weevils may occasionally damage young shoots or tubers. Protect from disturbance during summer dormancy.

Seasonal Interest

• Autumn: Showy rose-pink flowers bloom ahead of foliage; a highlight in shaded spaces

• Winter: Evergreen marbled foliage provides winter structure and colour

• Spring: Foliage persists through early spring before dying back naturally

• Summer: Dormant – invisible above ground, requiring dry, undisturbed conditions

Hardy Zones and Regional Suitability

• Temperature Tolerance: Tolerates typical UK winter conditions; mulch in colder regions

• Regional Notes: Performs best in northern and western UK where summers are cooler and shade is plentiful. May require protection in very exposed or windy sites

Cyclamen Dark Rose is a refined, long-lived choice for gardeners looking to add subtle elegance and seasonal colour to shady spaces. Its richly coloured blooms and intricate foliage make it a standout performer in autumn and winter gardens. Requiring minimal care once established and thriving in difficult conditions where others struggle, it is an enduring favourite for woodland gardens, shady borders, and naturalised drifts. A true gem for the everyday gardener seeking beauty, reliability, and year-round interest in the shade.