WINTER
ACONITE
Family RANUNCULACEAE
Eranthis hyemalis
Perennial
A dwarf perennial with a tuberous rootstock native
to Europe, with related species in Asia.
The leaves are immediately beneath the five- to
eight sepalled yellow flowers, borne on six-inch
stems.
Eranthis hyemalis grows well in any well-drained
soil and appreciates the presence of a little
leafmould or peat.
Among shrubs, in woodland, naturalised in short
tuft and at the front of herbaceous borders it
will be among the first of plants to show its
flowers in the New Year.
When planted in autumn it is well to allow the
roots to remain undisturbed for a number of years
when the flowers will form an effective carpet
of golden yellow.
It is advisable to plant thickly, three or four
inches apart and about the same depth.
Propagate by lifting the tubers when dormant in
summer, dividing and replanting; seed sown as
soon as ripe will remain dormant until the following
spring.
Two attractive hybrids with larger flowers, named
Eranthis x tubergenii and Eranthis “Guinea
Gold”, have been raised in Holland.
The flowering season is from January to March.
See Also : Eranthis
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