FLOWERS

A WHITER SHADE OF PALE

The coming winter is herald by the appearance of the Cyclamen persicum cultivars. Our favourite colour is white flowers which are a perfect foil for the long petioled foliage - rich green leaves with amazing silvery grey patterns and marbling on the top surface of the leaves.

The Cyclamen genus is native to the Mediterranean countries and islands. By the 1600's the native plants were taken to Europe to grow as ornamental plants in royal gardens, particularly in France, Netherlands and Germany.

In the mid-19th century the breeding of the cultivars was seriously undertaken in England and the Netherlands. The result was cultivars with much larger flowers than their Mediterranean cousins.

White flowering Cyclamens in simple greyish terracotta pots will bring a spot of joy to wintery days in traditional or contemporary settings.