Cyclamen hederifolium subsp. hederifolium ‘Ashwood Lysander’, ‘Lysander Group’

A distinct foliage strain of which the main feature of the Group is the very deeply-cut leaf margins, particularly well developed in the immature foliage. The whole effect of a mature specimen plant is very striking. The original plant has mid-green leaves with a typical dark green hastate pattern. The strain has been further developed, and now plants with entirely pewter leaves are also available; flowers unremarkable, being the usual pale to mid-pink with a magenta nose.

Originally distributed by Ashwood Nurseries; according to Brian Marsh, this seed strain is derived from material collected in the Peloponnese by Dutch nurseryman Antoin Hoog under the collector’s number AH8672A, and christened ‘Lysander’ after the famous Spartan general of that name.

Ashwood Nurseries purchased tubers from the 1996 catalogue of commercial exporters Hoog & Dix, and selected one plant which they considered to be outstanding.