Aconites
The winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) is often the first flower of the New Year to appear - particularly if it’s planted in a sunny, warm position. Then the round buds, still cradled by the leaves, push upwards through the ground before the clear-yellow flowers open. The flowers are sensitive to warmth. They will remain tightly shut on cold days and only open if the temperature reaches roughly 10C (50F). Then they can be sure that early bees and pollinators are foraging and these plants need to be pollinated because they spread by seed.
How to grow
Plant in an open sunny position on a warm sunny bank, or in a lawn, on a sunny corner of a woodland border or under a deciduous tree. You can either buy raisin-like tubers in autumn or you can buy winter aconites in 'the green' in late spring. The latter are usually listed in gardening magazines (under the small adverts) and sold in hundreds and these are not expensive. They arrive in leaf and you will need to carefully tease the clumps apart before planting to a depth of two inches.
If you buy either order them in 50s or 100s. One hundred bulbs costs 9.00 from a supplier like Peter Nyssen. One hundred ‘in the green plants’ costs roughly double.
Sprinkle the tubers or lay out the plants randomly and plant to a depth of two inches. Then allow them to self seed. Leave undisturbed as much as possible until the clumps are really congested. If this happens lift the clump and tease it apart just as they are dying down and replant in threes.
Grow with
The best partners are early-flowering, diminutive varieties of crocus in blues and purples. These could include ‘Blue Pearl’, ‘Ladykiller’(a purple-violet and white), ‘Firefly’ and ‘Tricolor’. The larger flowering Dutch crocus flower four weeks later than aconites and their size tends to overwhelm them. If growing in grass in full sun it is safe to add some invasive ‘tommies’ - varieties of Crocus tommasinianus. These include ‘Barr’s Purple’, ‘Prince Claus’, ‘Whitewell Purple’ and ‘Ruby Giant’ .
Where can I get it?
Peter Nyssen: www.peternyssen.com