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Eranthis hyemalis, The Winter Aconite

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | March 17, 2010 12 Comments

Last updated on December 7th, 2011

WHO CAN RESIST Eranthis hyemalis? Not me. Long before the earliest crocus appears, the little-known winter aconites offer a great patch of buttery bloom to brighten dreary late-winter days. Visitors here are charmed by it, yet it is neither rare nor difficult, and it seeds and spreads mightily.

Winter aconites grow from tubers; set these out as soon as you get them late in August or early September. And please, not less than 25 tubers; in fact, 50 will please you even more. If the tubers appear the least bit shriveled, soak them overnight before planting 2 inches deep and 3 inches apart. Keep them well watered the first autumn, thereafter you need not bother.

Near the porch, in a rock garden with a southern slope, in a woodland, or carpeting your shrub border, aconites will delight you. They prefer shade as they ripen, and fortunately the foliage disappears after bloom (if only this were true of daffodils and tulips).

I probably sound like an Eranthis salesperson, but I can’t help it. These golden cups that open above green, Elizabethan-like collars send me over the moon. How about you?

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Related Posts:
Signs of Life
Scented Snowballs: Narcissus ‘Erlicheer’
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Comments

  1. 1

    Adele says

    March 17, 2010 at 2:05 pm

    So glad you did a full post on Eranthis. They really are gorgeous. Nice tip about soaking the tubers, too.

  2. 2

    Andrew says

    March 17, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    Yes, they send me over the moon, too. I think they are even nicer than snowdrops. After winter, I've had quite enough white, thank you!

  3. 3

    Eric says

    March 17, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    Kevin, I know you like to force bulbs. Have you tried forcing aconites?

  4. 4

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    March 17, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    Eric – I have…in vain. It seems that aconites, like people, do not care to be forced.

  5. 5

    Sally says

    March 18, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    Those aconites are gorgeous. What a sure sign that spring is around the corner.

  6. 6

    Dirty Girl Gardening says

    March 18, 2010 at 9:42 pm

    adorable little guys!

  7. 7

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    March 18, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    Welcome, Dirty Girl Gardening! Yes, aconites are kind of cute. I'll plant even more next fall. Thanks for stopping by. I like your blog, too. Do come visit us again!

  8. 8

    GothamDan says

    March 24, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    Do the deer eat them?

  9. 9

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    March 24, 2010 at 10:23 pm

    GothamDan – Winter aconites are — supposedly, anyway — deer-proof.

  10. 10

    Liviu says

    May 23, 2012 at 12:40 am

    Dear Kelly, You really do seem to have had a most enloyabje time at the Morris Arboretum. You are indeed fortunate to have such a facility within reach of home.The Aconites en masse, and in a natural setting, are lovely. You may possibly not have read an earlier posting of mine about Lady Bonham Carter who held Aconite parties at her Hampshire home.Your splendid pictures are confirmation that spring is now really on the way.

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