How often do you see big pristine white flowers growing in New York City?
Rarely.
That's what stopped us last night as we walked across 9th Street - three pots of pert little cyclamen plants, nestled on the stoop of a townhouse.
As we photographed the perfect blossoms, I noticed they also had a window box filled with the same plant. I love the simplicity of using just one kind of plant - no need to get all fancy with the design.
See Sweet Dark Little Slideshow
This plant already has so much going on: low-laying marbled foliage that makes a very hardy foundation for the long lean stems that emerge, like ballerinas, supporting silky silvery blossoms that turn throughout the day.
Cyclamen was once a plant I had a small distaste for - someone gave me one with pink blossoms when I had my first job out of college and I kept it on my desk filled with faith that I could nurture and love this little life, but it died on me. I probably over watered it, but at the time I took it very personally, and developed a resistance to falling in love again. Well, last night it happened. Love at second sight. skgr
How funny about your former feelings towards cyclamens...a plant was given to me, too, at my first "real" office job by a woman who was leaving the company (and I later took it home with me after the company closed). But I love my hardy little plant -- it had faced near death at the hands of previous cubicles -- it was my confidant and friend.