Winter Aconite
Eranthis hyemalis
also called eranthis
Opens under bare branches in February and is gone underground again by May.
Light The dappled shade beneath deciduous trees is exactly its habitat.
Water Moist ground while it is in leaf; once dormant, dryness does not matter.
Height 12 cm
Spread 3.9 in
Spacing 8 cm
Spacing & sowing
- Plant spacing
- 3.1 in
- In-row spacing
- 3.1 in
- Between rows
- 3.9 in
- Square-foot density
- Not suited to SFG
Growing
- Type
- Flower · Perennial
- Botanical family
- Mixed / other
- Sunlight
- The dappled shade beneath deciduous trees is exactly its habitat.
- Watering
- Moist ground while it is in leaf; once dormant, dryness does not matter.
- Feeding
- A top-dressing of leaf mold in autumn covers everything it needs.
- Frost tolerant
- Yes
- Flowering
- February
- Pruning
- Never cut it back — let the foliage die down of its own accord.
- Overwintering
- Fully dormant by May; the tubers take -20°C without harm.
Through the year
- Jan–Feb Bud Break
- Feb–Mar Flowering
- Mar–Apr Seed Set
- Apr–Dec Dormancy
- Jan–Jan Dormancy
Pests & problems
The Cottage Garden Companion — the gardener's herbarium at cottagegardencompanion.com