6BC Botanical Garden
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WINTER ACONITE (Eranthis hyemalis)

Picture
Winter Aconite, Eranthis hyemalis / Pronunciation: (eer-RAN-this hy-EH-may-liss)

Bulb, Ranunculaceae (buttercup family)  Hardiness: Zone: 3 - 7  Sun: Full sun to part shade.   Blooms March-April.  All parts of this plant are poisonous.

Cultivation/Fertilizer/Soil and pH/Watering: organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Best in locations that enjoy full sun at the time of bloom, but acquire increasing shade as overhead trees leaf out. Needs consistent moisture year-round (albeit less in summer and fall) even though plants go dormant by late spring. Do not let dry out between waterings.

Pests/Diseases: No serious insect or disease problems.

Planting/Dividing/Transplanting: Plant tubers 2-3" deep and 3" apart in late summer to early fall. Soak tubers overnight before planting. May self-seed and naturalize over time in optimum growing conditions. Aconites can be grown from seedlings. Germination can take a long time (up to a year), so be patient! Keep the seeds at a temperature of 18 to 20°C. Once they have sprouted plant them in a shady place about 10 cm apart. Best left undisturbed

Eranthus hyemalis, winter aconite, is native to southern Europe (France to Bulgaria). It is a late winter bloomer (before crocus) that features cup-shaped, upward-facing, bright yellow, butter-cup like flowers on stalks to 3-4” tall.  Bright yellow cup-shaped flowers appear in late winter or early spring. A “jester’s collar” of green bracts surround the base of each flower. Green leaves appear at ground level after the flowers fade.  A true harbinger of spring, these rugged plants often send their shoots up through snow.

Genus name comes from the Greek words er meaning spring and anthos meaning a flower for its very early flowering.

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  • HOME
  • About Us
    • 6BC History Project
    • 6BC- An Extended History
    • The Garden In Formation
    • Garden Blog
  • Visit
  • Get Involved
    • Membership Orientation 2023
    • Membership Rules
    • Volunteer
    • 6BC Garden Bylaws
  • Events/Calendar
    • Event FAQS
  • The Garden
    • Garden Rules For Members
    • Plot Stewardship
    • How to Water the Garden
    • 6BC Plants >
      • 6BC Plants Gallery
      • Black-eyed Susan
      • Bleeding Heart
      • Bugleweed (Ajuga)
      • Corydalis
      • Crocus
      • Dutchman's Pipe
      • Hellebore
      • Iris
      • Jacob's Ladder
      • Lady's Mantle
      • Lily of the Valley
      • Solomon's Seal
      • Spurge
      • Winter Aconite
    • Help Us Identify These Plants
    • Creature Features >
      • Protect Your Pet - Toxic Plants
      • Know Your Butterflies
      • Get To Know These Common Birds
      • World Birds - For the Joy of Birding
  • Gardening 101
    • Best Practices
    • Garden Glossary
    • Glossary of Leaf Morphology
    • Benefits of Native Plants
    • Weeds
  • CONTACT
  • Donate