As the snow begins to melt, this little yellow gem is one of the earliest of spring’s flowers to appear, often found peeping out amid the late, lingering snow. Winter aconite (Eranthis) is a dainty but tough tiny buttercup bloom, complemented by a collar of green finger-like leaves that will flower for weeks. Eranthis is a fair-weather flower, for an interesting feature of this plant is that the blooms open in the sunlight and close in cloudy conditions.

Due to its diminutive size, winter aconite is best suited to rock gardens, raised beds and woodland gardens where trees provide welcome shady conditions in summer’s heat. Some gardeners prize this plant as a cheery yellow ground cover to welcome spring.

Like all spring-flowering bulbs, you plant them in the fall. But aconite must be in the ground before the end of September or you risk them not flowering next season. The tubers benefit from soaking for 24 hours prior to planting. In cold zones, like in Muskoka, you should plant them 10 to 12 centimetres deep to help insulate the bulbs. Winter aconite prefers a cool, moist location in partial shade; however, you can plant them in a sunny spot provided it is not too hot and dry during the summer, for they do not tolerate drying out. A layer of mulch can protect these tiny tubers.

Like all bulbs, this little gem thrives in well-drained, loose, neutral to alkaline soil amended with lots of humus. If the soil is rich, there is no need to fertilize. A single flowering stem growing three to six inches high stands above a rosette of leaves producing lemon-yellow flowers that have been likened to little “lemon drops”. Once the blooms have faded, allow the foliage to die out naturally to replenish the bulb’s energy for next season’s blooming. These easy-to-care-for bulbs are relatively carefree and you can leave them undisturbed once established. As the tubers are small, they are best mass-planted in clumps that will reward you with drifts of cheery yellow. Yet, if over time the clump does appear to become crowded, transplant some of the bulbs in late spring just as the leaves die back. Another bonus is that winter aconite self-seeds readily and naturalizes easily. You can propagate Eranthis by seed if you gather the mature pods just before nature disperses them. Look for the little pods resembling rosettes.

The only negative aspect to winter aconite is that all parts of the plant and bulb are poisonous if eaten. Like hyacinth bulbs, the tuber may cause skin irritation for those with sensitive skin, so wear gloves when planting the bulbs.

I am always gladdened when I see my winter aconite peeking out from beneath the melting snow of spring, for their tiny yellow blooms cheer my soul and remind me of the beauty of the spring and summer garden which will soon be in full bloom.

Kathy Wood is a member of the Bracebridge Horticultural Society and a regional director for Region VII of the Garden Writers Association. Kathy can be reached at rosewoodpk@sympatico.ca.

Garden quote

Oh give us pleasure in the flowers today,
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest, keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Muskoka plant of the week

Common Mullein (Verbascum thapus) — This biennial sun lover thrives in open, dry places such as fields, waste sites and roadsides. A rosette of grey-green, fuzzy leaves appears the first year, followed by a tall, thick stem growing two to seven feet tall, topped by a flowering spike of showy, yellow flowers blooming June to September. The seeds may lie in the ground for 20 years and then germinate when full light falls on them.

A gardener’s alphabet

Balustrade — A fence (usually of stone) consisting of a rail or coping on a row of balusters (bulging pillars originally modelled on “the blossom of the wild pomegranate”). The word has been corrupted in English into banister.

Herbal gift from the garden

Lavender Moisturizer
20 ml (4 tsp) beeswax granules
20 g (3/4 oz.) cocoa butter
75 ml (5 tbsp) almond oil
10 ml (2 tsp) borax
175 ml (3/4 cup, 6 fl. oz.) lavender water
8 drops lavender essential oil

Measure the beeswax granules, cocoa butter and almond oil into a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water and melt, stirring constantly. In a separate saucepan, dissolve the borax in the lavender water by gently warming it. Add the lavender water and borax to the melted wax mixture in the bowl, stirring constantly. When the mixture is thoroughly combined, remove from heat and allow to cool. While still tepid, add lavender essential oil. Pour mixture into glass jars and store in fridge up to three weeks.