Winter Aconites-First Sign of Spring

Winter Aconites will push up through snow
Winter Aconites will push up through snow

Sunny yellow blooms fringed with a fringed ruff poking through snow is my first sign that spring has sprung. Eranthis hyamalis, or Winter Aconite, in the buttercup family, is a spring ephemeral, which means that it is a short-lived plant above ground with a burst of blooms, then disappears, remaining under ground until next winter.

From a few tubers, I have many

The plant takes advantage of the deciduous woodland canopy, flowering at the time of maximum sunlight reaching the forest floor, then completely dying back to its underground tuber after flowering. So, for about eight weeks starting in late February, I see the plant above ground, celebrate its arrival and the bees devour it! Flowering when little else is in bloom, the blossom is a very important nectar and pollen source for my honeybees. On a nice sunny day above 45 degrees in late winter, the bees are darting in and out of the blossoms, quickly taking advantage of the brief show of color. Deer leave it alone as well – another selling point!

Winter Aconites have a pretty green ruff surrounding the flower
Winter Aconites have a pretty green ruff surrounding the flower

Resembling little buttercups, you can start with dried tiny bulbs, or tubers, in the fall along with other fall planted bulbs.

Plant Winter Aconites along with your other spring blooming bulbs

But Aconites are much easier to establish with “green” transplants. That simply means that you dig up the actively growing plants, separate them, and plant in a new location.  Know someone with a nice spread of these flowers? Then, bring your friend a gift and take some home for your own starters.

Separate the tubers while actively growing to spread around

I have often transplanted my plants to new locations so that the sunny yellow flowers are popping up all over my property. And yes, I hand them out to needy garden friends! The foliage dies back about the same time as lawn mowing begins and I just let the foliage wither and die back naturally. By the time the foliage dies back, it is time to plant annuals in the same spot vacated by the Aconites.

Bees flock to the early offerings of nectar and pollen
Bees flock to the early offerings of nectar and pollen

I started my Winter Aconites with corms which resemble a dried pea by planting them five inches deep and waiting to see how many emerged in the spring Only about 25% of the corms sprouted but that was enough to start my stock going for years to come as they will seed in. I have read that the little flowers can become invasive by reseeding in odd places, but I welcome all comers!

Bees bathe in the pollen
Bees bathe in the pollen

Such a cheerful little flower that is attractive to all pollinators is welcome in my garden anytime. A good companion to Snowdrops, Winter Aconites will live for years without any disturbance. The flowers push up through a stand of Germander and other thick ground covers and stick around for weeks, opening when the sun comes out warming them, and closing when nightfall comes.

Snowdrops are good companion plantings
Snowdrops are good companion plantings
Bring the little blooms in to brighten your home and they are extremely fragrant!e
Bring the little blooms in to brighten your home and they are extremely fragrant!

For more information about planting and buying these wonderful spring flowers, go to Fall Planting Guide at Longfield Gardens. Put these on your calendar for fall ordering.

6 Replies to “Winter Aconites-First Sign of Spring”

  1. Winter aconites are the third flowers to bloom here in my north central Indiana garden. Crocus are first, iris reticulata second, then the winter aconites. I hope mine spread as well as yours!

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