Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)

Written by: Wanda Simone | Last Updated: May 2, 2024

Brings a burst of bright yellow blooms to the front of borders and rock gardens in late winter and early spring when most plants are still dormant.

Plant snapshot

Scientific name: Eranthis hyemalis

Plant type: perennial

Zone: 4 to 7

Exposure: sun, part shade

Height: 3″ to 4″

Width: 4″ to 6″

Bloom time: winter to early spring

Flower color: yellow

Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) produces fragrant, buttercup yellow flowers that can be seen pushing up through the snow in late winter.

Although they act and look like spring bulbs, they are actually tubers that should be planted in the fall.

Like bulbs, their foliage dies back after they bloom (it will be gone by late spring) and they will naturalize.

Winter Aconite is also one of the few plants that can be grown under black walnut trees, and deer don’t particularly care for them.

Growing them with other late winter flowers like Galanthus will make their color pop even more.

Winter Aconite characteristics

Aconite blooms

Flower color: yellow

Bloom time: winter to early spring

Other information: fragrant

Eranthis hyemalis Foliage

Leaf color: green

Aconite planting & care

Water: none

Eranthis hyemalis benefits & issues

Season of interest: Winter

Resistant to: deer

Landscaping uses: front of border, rock gardens

Growth habit: naturalizes, grows under black walnut trees

More information

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