Eranthis

Often know as 'Winter Aconites' these like damp leafy soils in light shade. They are tolerant plants in the garden and will thrive in peaty or limey soils, as long as they have water, light shade and good drainage.

The fertile, more vigorous species such as hyemalis and cilicica are ideal for naturalising and semi-wild gardening. The infertile Guinea Gold is sufficiently vigorous that it will virtually naturalise when happy.

Like many Ranunculaceae they dislike being moved too much and detest being dried out and desiccated. Tubers may sulk for an entire season, making no above ground growth, or dying back quickly, while they establish a root system. They usually come up full of vigour the following year as long as they have not be damaged by an exploratory finger checking their welfare! These are plump, nursery-propagated top-sized corms, propagated in cultivation, they are not tiny, dried, wild-collected 'mummies', such as you will see in garden centres and supermarkets.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.