Eranthis hyemalis

Known as the Winter Aconite, Eranthis hyemalis is one of the earliest of the spring bloomers. Dating back to 1570 when it was native to a good part of western Europe, this naturalizing heirloom is a strange, wizened, irregularly shaped, small dark tuber. It produces low-growing foliage rosettes from which short garnet-brown stems emerge with little bright lemmon-yellow flowers. The bee-loved flowers have faint, delicate veins and a center filled with bright yellow stamens. It's wonderful to see bees cavorting addictively within the flowers, dredging themselves in pollen. Deer- and rodent-resistant, Eranthis hyemalis is best grown in moist, humus-rich, neutral pH, well-draining soil in full sun to partial sunlight. It can handle, and may even prefer, soil that has a bit more moisture in the winter and spring, but never in a spot that gets waterlogged at any time. It is a good forcer. Bulb size: 3.5 to 4 cm. Full to partial sunlight. Bloom time in horticultural zone 5: March/April. Plant 4" deep and 4" apart. HZ: 5-8. Height: 4".

Eranthis hyemalis are The Art & Soul of Spring.

Eranthis Horticultural Tips     Stinze Plantings