Eranthis Winter Aconite Bulbs

Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit

Eranthis Winter Aconite is an award-winning perennial that offers a burst of cheerful color when most other plants are still dormant. This aconite is easy-to-grow. When planted in the fall, these small tubers come to life in late winter, producing delightful yellow flowers that resemble tiny buttercups. Each bloom is surrounded by a delicate collar of green bracts, adding to the plant's charming appearance. Rising only 2 to 3 inches tall and spreading 2 to 4 inches wide, Winter Aconite creates a low-growing, rounded clump of dark green leaves that appear after the flowers have faded.

As one of the earliest flowers to emerge, Winter Aconite often blooms alongside Lenten roses (helleborus), creating a beautiful pairing that heralds the arrival of spring. This variety, Eranthis hyemalis, commonly known as aconite, winter aconite, or buttercups, is native to European woodlands and thrives in cool, shaded areas. Its tuberous nature and mounding habit make it an effective ground cover that spreads quickly, forming large colonies over time in ideal conditions. Despite its small size, Winter Aconite has a big impact when planted in large groupings, in flower beds, borders, containers, or as underplanting beneath trees and large shrubs.

Winter Aconite is a remarkably easy plant to grow and care for, making it an excellent choice for low maintenance gardens. To get the best results, plant the bulbs as soon as possible after receiving them in the fall, spacing them 2 to 4 inches apart and planting them 3 inches deep. Choose a sunny to partially shady spot with moist, well-draining soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially during the plant's growth period.

Cold-hardy to USDA Zone 4, Winter Aconite is resilient and reliable, providing a welcome splash of color in the winter landscape. Although generally low maintenance, mulching the bulbs lightly in winter can help protect them in harsher climates. After planting, water the bulbs well to help them establish, and feed with a balanced fertilizer to encourage strong growth. Once established, Winter Aconite will naturalize, returning year after year to brighten your garden.

Deer-resistant and easy to care for, Eranthis Winter Aconite is a delightful addition to the garden, offering early color and charm just when it's needed most. This little plant delivers big rewards.