Cyclamen hildebrandii
Cyclamen x hildebrandii is a hybrid of the popular Cyclamen hederifolium and the much less known Cyclamen africanum. The result is what appears to be a Cyclamen hederifolium on steroids. The mottled leaves of Cyclamen x hildebrandii are larger than Cyclamen hederifolium, although the flowers and overall appearance are similar. If anything, Cyclamen africanum seems to add a bit of heat tolerance to the hybrid. Like Cyclamen hederifolium, Cyclamen x hildebrandii starts flowering for us in mid-August with 6″ tall stalks of purple, dodecatheon-like, nodding flowers. The flowers continue until Christmas and are joined by the lovely silver mottled foliage in November. The key to success is to keep cyclamen dry during the summer months.
