Eranthis hyemalis
Eranthis hyemalis, Winter aconite
Winter flowering plants are important in providing unusual spots of colour in the garden at a time when flower colour is often missing. Eranthis is exceptional especially when it flowers on the coldest days of the year in July/August in New Zealand.
The small golden yellow, buttercup like flowers appear above a rosette of roughly serrated bright green leaves on a stem only 10 cm tall. They are frost-tolerant and readily survive under fresh snow.
There are several named forms of this species. In spring there are often beautiful displays of this plant at various garden shows.
The rounded shield shaped leaves with several notches are like a 5–8 cm diameter and expand fully when the flowers are nearly finished and die down in late spring.
The common name comes from the early flowering time and the resemblance of the leaves to those of the related genus Aconitum the true aconite. It is poisonous, although its chemistry is different.
This genus has a short growing season on forest floors and use the sunshine available below the canopy of deciduous trees before the leaves emerge. Its leaves die off when the shade from trees becomes dense when the summer dry season reduces water availability.
Eranthis are great for woodlands and when in flower are a real attraction. They also look equally at home near shrubs in a garden border and are easily propagated by division or from seed. After several years left undisturbed it will densely colonise a small area.
Eranthis has about 8 tuberous rooted species which are native of Europe and northern Asia. E hyemalis originates from France, Italy, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria growing mainly in woodland areas.
Other species are found across southern Europe and east across Asia to Japan. The different species range in colour from white to dark yellow.
This link below will take you to a very interesting article written by the Scottish Rock Garden Society in its publication International Rock Gardener about Eranthis species, forms and cultivars. Eranthis Article.
I have started a Pinterest board that has many Photographs of this interesting little plant. Eranthis Pinterest.
Winter flowering plants are important in providing unusual spots of colour in the garden at a time when flower colour is often missing. Eranthis is exceptional especially when it flowers on the coldest days of the year in July/August in New Zealand.
The small golden yellow, buttercup like flowers appear above a rosette of roughly serrated bright green leaves on a stem only 10 cm tall. They are frost-tolerant and readily survive under fresh snow.
There are several named forms of this species. In spring there are often beautiful displays of this plant at various garden shows.
The rounded shield shaped leaves with several notches are like a 5–8 cm diameter and expand fully when the flowers are nearly finished and die down in late spring.
The common name comes from the early flowering time and the resemblance of the leaves to those of the related genus Aconitum the true aconite. It is poisonous, although its chemistry is different.
This genus has a short growing season on forest floors and use the sunshine available below the canopy of deciduous trees before the leaves emerge. Its leaves die off when the shade from trees becomes dense when the summer dry season reduces water availability.
Eranthis are great for woodlands and when in flower are a real attraction. They also look equally at home near shrubs in a garden border and are easily propagated by division or from seed. After several years left undisturbed it will densely colonise a small area.
Eranthis has about 8 tuberous rooted species which are native of Europe and northern Asia. E hyemalis originates from France, Italy, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria growing mainly in woodland areas.
Other species are found across southern Europe and east across Asia to Japan. The different species range in colour from white to dark yellow.
This link below will take you to a very interesting article written by the Scottish Rock Garden Society in its publication International Rock Gardener about Eranthis species, forms and cultivars. Eranthis Article.
I have started a Pinterest board that has many Photographs of this interesting little plant. Eranthis Pinterest.