Cyclamen persicum Mini Absolu

Cyclamen Mini Absolu de Morel is a hybrid of the Persian cyclamen, which is absolutely charming but not very hardy. It is ideal for flowering indoors or on a summer to autumn window sill. It forms a small, round clump of heart-shaped, dark green, variegated and marbled leaves. This little plant produces numerous distinctly bicoloured flowers, with fringed petals edged in fuchsia red. They emit a pleasant fragrance to be enjoyed up close. The foliage disappears and goes dormant after flowering. As it is frost-sensitive, it is often grown as an annual, in partial shade or full shade under trees, along pathways, or in shady rock gardens.

Cyclamen Mini Absolu de Morel belongs to the Primulaceae family. In horticultural language, this cultivar is described as the first fragrant VICTORIA F1 hybrid. It is a perennial plant with tuberous roots, but not very hardy, and cannot withstand temperatures below -2°C (28.4°F). It was developed by the Morel company based in Fréjus, Var. The tubers are round and compressed, covered with a smooth and velvety 'skin', and have roots originating from their centre and base. The plant's growth cycle depends on growing conditions. Most often, the dormant period occurs during winter, with the plant entering a growth phase in spring and flowering until autumn. In regions unaffected by frost, it is possible to leave the tubers in the ground: the foliage will then develop in autumn, after a dry summer, and the flowering will continue from winter to spring. In this case, the tubers go dormant in summer. The leaves, which are round and cordate, measure about 4cm (2in) in diameter. The colour of the leaves is a dark green veined and marbled with light green and greyish-green tones. Together, they form a small cushion about 25cm (10in) in diameter. The flowering emerges from the centre of the cushion, at a height of 25cm (10in). It takes the form of numerous tightly packed floral stems. The pointed flower buds, initially lying on the ground, rise on brown peduncles. Each flower is quite compact, measuring 1 to 2cm (1in), and consists of 5 fringed petals that curve backwards. Each petal has a fine edge of bright pinkish-red and a small spot of the same colour at the base of the petals. The fragrance is most pronounced in the middle of the day, under natural light conditions, when the temperature is between 15 and 25°C (59 to 68°F). Once the flowering is over, in November, the foliage turns yellow, disappears, and the plant goes dormant. During this resting stage, watering should be reduced, and the plant should be stored in a cool place.

Plant Cyclamen Absolu de Morel in a planter, with a variegated miniature ivy 'Kolibri', some heucheras, some euphorbias that tolerate partial shade, or some dwarf spindle bushes, for example. Planted en masse, with a mix of colours, mini cyclamens create ephemeral but unforgettable carpets in shaded areas of the garden, along with begonias and impatiens, for example. They will also find their place in a partially shaded rock garden that is not too dry, alongside anemones blanda and liverworts, for example.