Cyclamen In The Fall Garden

Cyclamen hederifolium by andreasbalzer

One of my favorite house plants that usually is sold in my area in late fall through winter, a great Christmas present, is the Cyclamen plant.  I love the flower and wish I could grow it outdoors because it is one of those plants that also has pretty leaves going for it. But alas, it wants to live in a warmer climate than I live in. Cyclamen persicum grows in Temperature Hardiness zones 7 and above.

So when I learned that there is a perennial cyclamen that will grow in my area, I had to have it. There are a few different cyclamens that bloom outdoors in the fall. I bought Cyclamen hederifolium.   It is such a delightful plant; I am so happy with it in my fall garden. It grows in Hardiness Temp. zones as low as Zone 4.  It has virtually no pests plaguing it. This is my perfect type of plant.

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Toad Lily: Flowers that Bloom in the Fall

Toad_Lilies by zhurnaly

Most people, when they think of flower gardens, think of spring gardens and summer gardens. Fewer people seem to think of fall as a great time for flowers. Maybe this is because with the arrival of fall we know that winter is around the corner and are preparing for the cold weather or are too busy raking leaves to notice the many flowers that are showing off. Or maybe it is because one anticipates and is eager to see the beautiful fall foliage which can be so spectacular that the scene overshadows everything else. Whatever the reason, you are missing out if you do not plant flowers that bloom in the fall.

I love the flowers that are now open in my fall garden. It is not just the chrysanthemums and the asters that are stunning in the fall. There are some lesser known flowers that bloom in the fall with such pretty flowers.  I want to write about a few of the flowers that are favorites of mine.

One really special fall flower that is presently blooming in my garden has the silly common name of Toad Lily. The Latin name is Tricyrtis. This perennial is in the lily family. To read how the plant got the unflattering name of Toad Lilly, read this. This year’s rainy weather has been wonderful for my toad lilies and the floral display is the best I have ever had. When I showed them to my daughter, she thought I had orchids.

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