Cimicifuga or Bugbane

Family Ranunculaceae. Name: derives from the Greek word 'kyklas' — round, and is connected to the shape of the tubers in some species of the genus.

Description: the genus includes, according to various sources, from 15 to 55 species, distributed in mountainous areas, mainly along the coasts of the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas. Perennial tuberous herbaceous plants with their own specific features. Up to 150 seeds per 1 g.

Location: they prefer warmth and sun, as well as a dry and sheltered position. They can be planted in the shade of deciduous trees.

Soil: plant them in a mix of turf and leaf mould with the addition of lime rubble, crushed lime or old plaster. Good drainage is necessary for the plantings, as the plants suffer from the slightest overwatering.

Care: In the temperate zone a light covering with leaves is necessary for the winter; further south covering is not required. In autumn, enrich the soil with good compost. During summer dormancy forest cyclamens do not need to be dried out and can remain in the ground, receiving the same amount of moisture as the surrounding plants. If cyclamens are planted under trees and the fallen leaf covers them, it can be left in place: like all woodland plants they cope with this, pushing through the litter with young shoots. And a layer of leaves will help retain moisture and add fertile organic matter.

Propagation: only by seeds; their tubers do not divide regardless of how much they grow. Seeds germinate very poorly. Seeds of the Persian cyclamen are sown after ripening into a pot, well covered with soil, because they do not germinate in the light. The pot is watered regularly so that the substrate remains constantly moist. The sowings can be covered with glass. High temperature is undesirable for germination; the optimum is 15°...18°. Seedlings appear in about a month. The seeds of small wild cyclamens are sown after dry storage to improve germination, i.e., they are kept for 3–6 months simply in a bag, and then handled the same way as the Persian ones.

Uses: cyclamens can also be placed on an alpine rockery, but in the shade of stones or small shrubs. They look good in large drifts among large stones and the stumps of old trees, and other ephemeroids make pleasant companions: crocuses, snowdrops, colchicums, as well as non-aggressive primulas. It is unknown whether they will naturalize here; they will probably require care and protection from more vigorous and active natives.