Find Us:
Cosmos in the Garden
  • Blog
  • Gallery
  • Publications
  • About me
  • Ask Jarek
  • Polski

Winter Aconite  or (better)  Eranthis

2/25/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Latin name  of Eranthis has its roots in Greek and combines spring and flower, a very nice  and welcome combination.  The common name: winter aconite,  is slightly malicious as it refers to the poisonous sap of a  summer blooming  plant called Aconitum napellus,  whose  usually blue flowers resemble majestic  inflorescences of larkspur.  But in no way do they  have the look of  bright yellow Eranthis, whose buds  appear unimaginably early  like... February. Yes, they are poisonous, but nobody wants to eat them. Flying insects are probably of  a different opinion for the flowers secrete sweet nectar and offer some tasty pollen, so the winged creatures must be  very happy to find a place to eat after long winter months of starvation. As we enjoy observing  their busy lunchtime  we can also satisfy our eyes with golden yellow flowers, the forerunners of far more busy moments to come. 
What a view! The snow has melted away, only here and there you can see its last  frozen patches  desperately striving to survive the warmer day temperatures and... as if to help the sun do its job, precious golden yellow buds emerge from the soil and try to chase the snow out of the garden.  Truly brave little creatures! They  show a lot of determination and resistance in their mission as they are not afraid of  night frost and seem to be really happy when the weather is not as warm as we would like it to be. As a matter of fact, the flowers of winter aconite last longer when the air is just cool. So try to understand their requirements and do not complain about the cold breezes and enjoy the radiant but still brief moments of having that lovely plants  in the garden. 

Eranthis hyemalis along with Eranthis cilicica and Eranthis x thunbergii form a trio of fragile looking  (in reality they are not that delicate) and brightly flowering tuberous plants which should be invited to every garden. The long twig-like tubers are normally planted in the fall. The idea is that they love company so do not buy four or five tubers but forty or fifty, or even more. You will understand my advice when you see the open flowers the following  spring. 
Soak the tubers in tepid water for 24 hours before planting. They  will regain turgor at that time, which promotes better root formation.  Space the tubers 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in.) apart and cover them with 6 to 8 cm (2-3 in.) layer of soil. Eranthis grows well in every garden soil as long as it contains a lot of organic matter and is well-drained. The plant  being quite short - only  5 to 10 cm  (2 to 4 in.) high,  requires  good protection from strong winds and needs o a lot of sun. 

The  winter aconite flowers quickly disappear when the days become warmer but before they vanish completely the seeds mature in the pods and are eager  to venture a new life cycle. Seedlings take at least two or three years to flower. Some of them may appear in totally unexpected areas in- or outside the garden. 

Yellow is the favourite colour of insects, that is why they are attracted by  Eranthis so efficiently. As a matter of fact all flowers care very little about our, I mean human chromatic  tastes and predilections. But still, we can always  juxtapose those  little  golden winter aconite wonders with blue crocuses and white snowdrops to embarrass  the yellow loving insects a little.  I am sure they will not complain  at all and the garden will look adorned just right to welcome spring and first guests!
Jarek
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Author

    I was destined to be born gardener. In order to become a professional  one I had to enjoy years of studying at various  schools and  universities...  read more

    Archives

    Kwiecień 2015
    Styczeń 2015
    Grudzień 2014
    Październik 2014
    Wrzesień 2014
    Sierpień 2014
    Lipiec 2014
    Czerwiec 2014
    Maj 2014
    Kwiecień 2014
    Marzec 2014
    Luty 2014
    Styczeń 2014
    Grudzień 2013
    Listopad 2013
    Październik 2013
    Wrzesień 2013
    Sierpień 2013
    Lipiec 2013
    Czerwiec 2013

    Categories

    Wszystkie
    Annuals
    Biennials
    Bulbs
    Corms
    Country Gardens
    Country Gardens
    Dry Decorations
    Fall
    Flowering Shrubs
    Flowering Shrubs
    Flowering Trees
    Flowering Trees
    Flowers
    Food
    Forrest
    Grains
    Grasses
    Herbs
    Leaves
    Meadows
    Orchards
    Other
    Perennials
    Potted Plants
    Rhizomes
    Roses
    Shade
    Shrubs
    Spring
    Summer
    Trees
    Tubers
    Vegetables
    Vines
    Winter

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.