Plant of the Month for February, 2022

eranthis header

 

Eranthis hyemalis, the winter aconite, is an early bloomer, heralding spring. It often flowers through the snow, soon after the first snowdrops. 

Eranthis in the Snow

Eranthis in the Snow

 

Eranthis in Ice

Eranthis in Ice

A curved stalk drags up a flower bud, surrounded by finger-like bracts. It straightens, opening to a 5-8 (usually 6) sepalled yellow cup above a ruff of bright green bracts. Petals are reduced to nectaries. Central follicles are surrounded by numerous stamens. Leaves, similar to the bracts, grow up as the flowers mature. 

 

Eranthis showing Nectaries
Eranthis showing Nectaries

I remember a patch several metres wide in  England when I was a child. My Grandmother planted them in the 1920s. They were still there in 2009!

Other Species and Cultivars: 

There are eight species and many cultivars. These include:

Eranthis cilicicia (Cilicicia Group) blooms a little later with slightly larger flowers and more deeply dissected bracts and leaves.

Eranthis cilicicia
Eranthis cilicicia on left

Eranthis x tubergenii is a hybrid between these two species with larger, sterile flowers

Eranthis x tubergenii ‘Guinea Gold’ has deeper yellow flowers, bronze leaves and is scented

Eranthis pinnatifida and Eranthis stellata are white flowered.

Eranthis hyemalis ‘Flore Pleno’ is one of several double cultivars

Eranthis hyemalis ‘Moonlight’ is light yellow, found in an Ithaca NY garden.

General information: 

Life Cycle: Long lived perennial tuber

Dimensions: Inflorescence 2.5 cm across. Height 10-15 cm tall as the flowers mature

Bloom time: Late February to April. The leaves die down as shade increases and the soil dries.

Distribution:  E. hyemalis is native to eastern Europe to Iraq. E. cilicicia - western to central Asia. The white species grow in the far east.

Habitat: Woodlands

Cultivation: Buy tubers in the fall as early as possible. Soak in luke warm water for 12 hours before planting in groups 5-10 cm deep, in deciduous shade to morning sun. They will soon clump up and form a mat. They can grow in a lawn. However, do not mow till the leaves start to wither.

Companion plants: Crocus, Hellebores, Hosta

eranthis_self_seeding_on_mound.jpg

 Eranthis self seeding on mound

Flowers, then leaves & developing follicules with Hellebores, etc.
Leaves & developing follicules

Soil: Humus rich alkaline to neutral well drained soil.

Water: Do not let it dry out when dormant.

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4-7

Propagation: Plant “In the green”. Dig up clumps after flowering, divide and replant. 

Seeds are recalcitrant.  Direct sow outside as soon as the seeds turn from green to black. They will germinate in the late winter, with the seedlings emerging as the plants flower. They withstand frost.

I have had no success with Eranthis seeds from exchanges.

Notes: It is toxic like all members of the Ranunculaceae. Don’t nibble on the plant! Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, disturbed vision and cardiac arrest.

Animals avoid eating leaves.

No pests or diseases.

Source of pollen and nectar for early pollinators.

Eranthis Hyemalis with Bee
Eranthis hyemalis with Bee

I have 100s of plants, nearly all E. hyemalis. There are a few E. cilicicia or perhaps the hybrid. Dry summers may have reduced the numbers of the later.

I am looking for other cultivars.

For more information:

https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Eranthis

(Text and Images contributed by Anna Leggatt)