Add a splash of cheer to your garden with these sunny yellow, early-flowering blooms. Hardy throughout the UK, down to -15°C.
These bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers bloom at the end of winter, just when you need the cheerful colour in your life. Each bloom sits on top a cushion of mid-green foliage, which fans around the flower and adds a contrasting bright green to the yellow, like a slightly frilly green ruff. Easygoing and happy in most garden positions, bring a smile to your face by planting these happy yellow flowers for the end of winter.
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Bulbous perennial
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Columnar upright flower
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Winter - spring flowering and foliage.
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Scientific Name
Eranthis hyemalis (spring flower of winter)
Common Name
Aconitum hyemale (syn), Winter Hellebore, Winter Wolf's Bane, Winter Aconite
Origin
This plant is a European native, originating in France, Italy, Albania, BUlgaria, Lebanon, Syria, and the Northwest Balkan Peninsula
Pruning Tips
No pruning required here, let the flowers and foliage die back naturally for best results.
Wildlife Value
The pollen and nectar-rich flowers of the winter aconite are great forage for early bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, and ground-dwelling bees such as Andrena bees.
Positioning
Plant in full sun to partial shade; the winter aconite is fine in both exposed and sheltered positions.
Water
Grows well in moist soil but make sure it's not sat in a puddle. Water in unseasonable dry weather.
Soil
Use a humus-rich, moderately fertile soil. Retaining some moisture is useful as your winter aconite won't want to totally dry out. Grows best in alkaline soils but tolerant of all types.
Food
Ensure you plant into fertile soil; a feed or mulch in early spring before blooming will help those flowers grow at their best.
Pet-safe
No, winter aconite is toxic to cats, dogs, humans, livestock and horses - though it's fine for birds.
Sprouts Top Tips
Winter Aconite is best planted during or just after flowering, while it is 'in the green'
Extras
This plant has been given the RHS' prestigious Award of Garden Merit for its stellar all-round performance in the garden.
