In recent years breeding programs have been undertaken with cyclamen, which is best known for its use as a winter indoor plant, to produce a miniature cyclamen that will flower throughout autumn and early winter and will be hardy enough to withstand just light frosts. The result is the aptly names miracle series, which can be planted out in borders as well as used to great effect in containers.

The flower color varies from white, to white with a carmine pink mouth, wine red, rose, purple, salmon and scarlet. They are sweetly scented plants, but the best fragrance seems to emanate from the white forms. The leaves have different amounts of silvery mottling, but most, if not all, exhibit some degree of veining. The combination of flowers and foliage makes this little plant a winner.

It lends itself so many lovely planting arrangements, being suitable for wall pots, window boxes, and troughs and hanging baskets. A more recent introduction, cyclamen is slightly taller, at 8 inches, and makes a greater mound of foliage. The weeks of late autumn to early winter are not the easiest for showy bulb containers, especially after the wealth of color that has been seen in the garden in early autumn.

However, there is a vast choice of bulbs that can be planted for late winter and spring flowering, with a wide choice of accompanying foliage to provide interest throughout the whole autumn and early winter. Many bulbs are available for planting in autumn, including small crocuses, irises, grape hyacinths, and scales. The rewards will come a few months later, with both bulbs and bedding plants in full flower.