Eranthis hyemalis
winter aconite
Overview
Eranthis hyemalis is a low tuberous perennial 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) tall that emerges in late winter, among the earliest flowers of the year. Each stem carries a single upward-facing flower 0.8-1.5 inches (2-4 cm) across, formed of six to eight bright yellow sepals that function as petals, sitting on a ruff of deeply cut leafy bracts. The true leaves appear at or just after flowering as basal, palmately divided rosettes of glossy green, dying back to the tuber by late spring. The fruit is a cluster of beaked follicles releasing several seeds. Plants grow from small knobbly tubers and spread both by seed and by tuber offsets, forming dense carpets over time beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. Eranthis hyemalis is grown for late-winter color in woodland gardens and naturalized lawns. All parts contain cardiac glycosides and are toxic if eaten. A limitation is its summer dormancy, which leaves bare ground once the foliage dies down, and its dislike of dry, sunbaked positions.
Native Range
Eranthis hyemalis is native to southern Europe, from France and Italy through the Balkans. It has naturalized widely in temperate gardens and woodlands across Europe and parts of North America.Suggested Uses
Eranthis hyemalis is planted in drifts beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, in rock gardens, and naturalized in short grass for late-winter color. It combines with snowdrops and other early bulbs in woodland settings. The early flowers supply nectar and pollen for emerging bees on mild days.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread2" - 4"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in late winter to early spring, typically January to March depending on climate, often through snow. Flowers open in sunshine and close in dull or cold weather. Bloom lasts several weeks before the foliage matures and the plant enters summer dormancy.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
glossy greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Eranthis hyemalis grows in full sun to part shade in humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil that does not dry out in spring. It grows in soil pH from about 6.0 to 7.5 and tolerates the alkaline conditions over chalk. Tubers establish slowly and are planted in late summer or early autumn while dormant. Once settled, plants need no feeding and naturalize freely beneath deciduous trees where they receive winter and spring light. The foliage dies down naturally and replenishes the tuber before summer dormancy. Dry summer conditions and deep, dense shade reduce flowering and spread.Pruning
No pruning is required. The foliage is left in place until it yellows and withers in late spring, after which it pulls away cleanly. Spent flower stems can be removed where self-seeding is not wanted.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons