Winter Flowering Aconite Bulbs

Winter Aconite: Eranthis hyemalis 'Cilicica Group' Tubers / Bulbs

Winter Aconites are among the earliest flowering bulbs. Aconites form a carpet of waxy, golden buttercup-like flowers from January onwards.

Winter Aconites in the Green are grown in the UK specifically for the purpose of being lifted and sold while in growth, during Spring.
Dry bulbs are planted in Autumn.

Browse all bulbs in the green, or all flower bulbs.

Features

• Colour: Gold
• Height: 30cm
• Flowering: Jan-Feb-Mar
• Sold in the green for immediate planting.
• RHS Plants for Pollinators

Growing Winter Aconites

They grow best in fairly moist ground containing plenty of organic matter that doesn't get parched dry in Summer. 

Planting Companions

Very few plants thrive in the shade of horse chestnut and sycamore trees. Aconites and Snowdrops get their growing done while the deciduous trees above are dormant and without leaf.

Winter Aconites grow well in a wide range of soils, alkaline, neutral and acidic. Their principal requirement is for well drained soil containing plenty of well rotted organic matter and that does not dry out. They hate being too wet however. Aconites form carpets of plants as their tubers spread underground. They are easy to lift and divide in spring, when still in leaf, if they become overcrowded. Their golden flowers look at their best in a mass, so we suggest that you plant in good sized drifts of an irregular shape with betwene 50 and 75 bulbs to the square metre.

Planting depth should be about 3" (6-8 cms) and we would suggest leaving about 10-12 cms between plants so as to give them a little elbow room. Water well after planting bulbs in the green as you need to make sure there is good contact between the roots and the soil. This is because the plant needs a water source to allow it to absorb the starches made available to it when its leaves die down later in spring.

For best flowering never mow where aconites are growing until their leaves have died back completelyand lift and divide congested clumps every 4 years or so.

Did You Know?

Eranthis hyemalis is a member of the buttercup family - the relationship can be seen in the flowers and leaves. Hyemalis means "winter-flowering". Other common names include winter hellebore and winter wolf's bane, to match their namesakes, the Aconites (its previous botanical name was Aconitum hyemale), which are also in the buttercup family, but in a different genus.

Like many bulbs and tubers, aconites are absolutely not for human consumption, but you might need to protect them against thieving squirrels.