When I first got my arum italicum, I found them growing by the roadside in a ditch, about 15 yrs ago. No idea why they were there, but I dug some up green and growing in the early spring, and transplanted them into my garden. They never even wilted, and I have them to this day. I've since transplanted some of the clumps, and they have done fine. I always move them when they are green so I can find them! I suppose the ideal time would be when they go summer dormant, however.

I have divided arums in both fall and spring without problems. However, you will get lots better clumps if you leave them alone for as long as you possibly can. They are my favorite plant for winter interest here. I particularly like them mixed with evergreen ferns and evergreen carexes.

I have grown cyclamen too and I love them. They simply must have perfect drainage and as dry a summer as possible. Depending on the variety, they bloom in late summer through early winter and the gorgeous leaves stand through the winter. If you don't have the right conditions for them, Callaway Asarums are a great substitute, though they don't bloom.

Other plants I enjoy during the winter are dwarf Nandinas, hellebores, camellias, pansies (of course), ornamental kales and mustards, and very early blooming narcissus. My Grand Primos are at least six inches tall right now. I have known them to bloom as early as the week after Christmas, but that depends on weather.

I'm not sure exactly which variety you mean by 'perennial cyclamen' but if it's Cyclamen hederifolium I would recommend buying a growing plant in a pot rather than the dried corms (nomenclature varies!). They grow in dry shade under a birch tree in my garden and self seed with abandon. (My 'dry' shade is probably a bit wetter than yours.)

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