Plant during the recommended period shown in the variety’s specifications. If you cannot plant straight away, store them somewhere cool, dry and well ventilated.
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There is something especially lovely about finding the first flowers of the year beneath bare winter branches. Eranthis hyemalis, the winter aconite, opens bright golden-yellow cups from late winter, each held above a little ruff of deeply divided green leaves. At just 5–10cm tall, it is easy to overlook a single plant, but gathered in generous groups, these flowers light up the ground. Try Eranthis hyemalis beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, along a path or among snowdrops, where the contrast of yellow and white makes both feel more vivid. On mild days, their early flowers also offer food to visiting pollinators.
Plant the tubers in autumn in soil enriched with leaf mould or compost, choosing a spot that receives winter light and becomes partly shaded as the trees leaf out. Eranthis hyemalis is fully hardy in UK gardens and prefers soil that stays reasonably moist without becoming waterlogged. Once flowering has finished, leave the foliage to die back naturally and allow any seedlings to grow undisturbed. In a place it likes, winter aconites can gradually naturalise, turning a few welcome flowers into a golden patch to look forward to each year.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Check whether your varieties prefer sun or shade, then choose a sheltered position in well-drained soil or a suitable pot or container.
Remove weeds and loosen compacted soil. Improve heavy ground with organic matter and horticultural grit. For containers, use peat-free multipurpose compost and ensure good drainage.
Plant at the depth recommended for each variety, as their requirements differ. Position shoots or pointed ends upwards. If the correct direction is unclear, plant them on their sides.
Follow the recommended spacing for each variety. Planting in clusters or informal drifts creates a natural display, but avoid placing them directly against one another.
Water after planting if the soil is dry. Keep containers lightly moist but never waterlogged. After flowering, allow foliage to yellow naturally before removing it.
- Botanical name
- Eranthis hyemalis
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Bulb size
- 4/5
- Established height
- 5-10cm
- Established spread
- 5-10cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Spreading - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 150 bulbs per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - Rabbit resistant
- No
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Free draining
Damp - Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Ground cover
Meadows
lawns
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Woodland gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Dappled shade
Partial shade
Full shade - Toxicity
-
Harmful if eaten
Skin/eyes irritant - Years to establish
- 1st year
Perfect for pots
Pollinator-friendly
Great for shade
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed in paper
Naturalising
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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Eranthis hyemalis reviews
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