Great Plant Pick: Eranthis hyemalis, winter aconite

Published 1:30 am Saturday, February 3, 2018

What: Eranthis hyemalis, commonly known as winter aconite, is an enchanting member of the buttercup family with bright yellow flowers in mid-winter. Indeed, the cup-shaped flowers sit atop three leaf-like bracts that form a collar, reminding one of a renaissance cuff worn around the neck by 16th-century Europeans. Plant these en masse for a spectacular show that will certainly brighten those gray days of winter.

Where: Winter aconite will grow and bloom best if sited in full sun during the time of bloom; however, some light shade is not a total hindrance. A site that has a canopy of deciduous trees or shrubs is quite satisfactory, as Eranthis are dormant during the time leaves are in full flush.

Size: The upright bulb with deciduous foilage grows to be 5 inches tall and 2 inches wide when mature.

Care: The soil should be well-drained, but consistently moist throughout the year, although a bit less so in summer; they do not tolerate bone-dry conditions.

— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks