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Bulbs, Perennials > Eranthis > Eranthis hyemalis > Eranthis hyemalis

Eranthis hyemalis


Winter Aconite, Wolf's Bane




Origin:  Southern Europe and Turkey.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

A spring gem that sees rare use in North American gardens principally because it is difficult to establish from dried tubers; the common source. That said I have seen some fantastic groupings of the plant in Ontario, where it has thrived in ideal situations: I treasure the little group in my garden as the harbinger of spring.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

"

Family
Ranunculaceae
Genus
Eranthis
Species
hyemalis
Category
Bulbs, Perennials
USDA Hardiness Zone
6a - 6b
Canadian Hardiness Zone
6b
RHS Hardiness Zone
H6 (observed growing well in H7)
Temperature (°C)
-20 to -15
Temperature (°F)
4 -5
Height
10 cm
Spread
10 cm
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
April
Landscape
One of the earliest spring bulbs and ideally planted in low growing ground covers such as Lamium, Galium odoratum and some of the dwarf Epimediums.
Cultivation
The plants do not tolerate competition and thus should not be planed amongst aggressive, enveloping groundcover type plants. An open disposition is required in full sun for their brief growing season where the soil is fast draining. Combine with other minor bulb-like plants like Cyclamen coum, Crocus and Galanthus. Green clumps can be moved successfully if given adequate water after the transplant.
Growth
Medium
Leaf Description
A pale green, deeply lobed bract.
Flower Description
Large, yellow, cup-shaped flowers composed of six sepals and six petals, with the anthers surrounding a group of carpels that later become the seed capsule.
Fruit Description
The anthers surround a group of carpels that later become the seed capsule.
Colour Description
Pale green foliage and a clear yellow flower.
Texture Description
A finely textured plant.
Propagation
From seed a plant will take about four years to flower, in the first year the plant produces a pair of cotyledons, while in the second year of growth a true leaf is produced. Seeds require stratification of about 3 months at 5°C but are best sown in the pots in a cold frame and allowed to stratify over the winter naturally and will germinate the following spring. The seeding mix must be a gritty loam topped with grit to prevent moss and liverwort growth. The plant can also be grown from tubers with mixed results. Best results are achieved if the tubers are fresh or rehydrated in water overnight prior to planting in the autumn.
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