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Winter Hellebore Eranthis hyemalis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Aconitum hyemale
  • Helleborus hyemalis
Phonetic Spelling
er-AN-thiss hy-eh-MAY-liss
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Winter aconite is a low-maintenance tuberous perennial that blooms in rounded clumps in late winter or early spring. It has showy, solitary, bright yellow, cup-shaped blooms that are surrounded by bright green leafy bracts. The basal leaves are rich green and divided into palmate or pinnate lobes. The plant is low-growing and measures 3 to 6 inches tall and about 6 inches wide. They are excellent for long, winter-blooming displays, but it goes dormant by late spring and summer.

This plant is a member of the Ranunculaceae or buttercup family and is native to southeast France, as far east as Bulgaria, and is found in woodlands and meadows.

The genus name, Eranthis, is from two Greek words, Er meaning spring, and anthos meaning early flowering. The specific epithet, hyemalis, means winter blooming.   

Winter Aconite tolerates full sun to partial shade, and it will thrive in locations that receive 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The soil must be rich in organic material, well-drained, and have an alkaline pH, preferably. This bulb is intolerant to bright winter sun and high temperatures. The tubers are best planted in late summer to early fall. Plant them 2 to 3 inches deep and about 3 inches apart. This plant can be injured in temperatures below 5 degrees F (-15 degrees C).  It tolerates drought, but make sure to keep the soil moist during the growing season. Propagate by direct sowing seeds in the fall or division after the blooming season is completed.

Numerous hybrid selections and species are available but are often difficult to distinguish and are misidentified in trade, or mislabeled as Lenten rose.

This delightful yellow flower will add a splash of color to rock gardens, beds, walkways, and woodland gardens. Utilize it for border fronts or patios in protected, shady locations, or let it naturalize in the landscape. Because of their small size, they are best planted in drifts for a greater impact of color or planted in mass under trees. Winter Aconite is resistant to browsing by deer and can be planted near a black walnut tree. Exercise caution if you have pets or small children. The plant and tuber are poisonous if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective clothing when handling this plant.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom: Late Winter or Early Spring     Foliage:  Late Winter or Early Spring

Quick ID Hints:

  • Flowers nodding, petaloid sepals
  • Short plant with stiff, large, green leaves 
  • Leaves are palmately divided into many leaflets
  • Flower center of numerous stamens outlined by tubular nectaries, or fleshy, beaked capsules

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Winter Aconite has no serious insect or disease problems.  Fungal diseases are occasional problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#yellow flowers#low maintenance#winter interest#mass planting#low growing plant#rock garden#bedding plants#pollinator plant#naturalized area#fantz#flowers early spring#border front#understory planting#walkway planting#HS302#problem for cats#flowers late winter#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for children#problem for horses#flowering bulb#poisonous if ingested#patio#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#yellow flowers#low maintenance#winter interest#mass planting#low growing plant#rock garden#bedding plants#pollinator plant#naturalized area#fantz#flowers early spring#border front#understory planting#walkway planting#HS302#problem for cats#flowers late winter#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for children#problem for horses#flowering bulb#poisonous if ingested#patio#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eranthis
    Species:
    hyemalis
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia Minor and Europe
    Distribution:
    Native: Bulgaria, France, Italy, Lebanon-Syria, and Yugoslavia. Introduced: Belgium, Canada--Ontario, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States--DC, IL, MD, NY, NC, OH, and PA
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees are attracted to the nectar and pollen in the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Edibility:
    Poisonous and can be fatal if ingested.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Columnar
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are clustered, green, fleshy capsules, long-beaked, and surrounded by persistent sepals.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Blooms in late winter to early spring on 3 to 4-inch tall stalks from February to March. The green bracts form a collar surrounding the flowers and are leaf-like, dark green, entire to sparsely toothed, +/- lobed. The flowers have 6 petals and are showy, pigmented, and broadly ovate-elliptic. The inner petal segments are numerous and consist of tubular nectaries that are green to greenish-yellow. The stamens are numerous, and the anther is yellow. The bright yellow cup-shaped flower measures 1 inch in diameter.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Basal or cauline, palmately compound, coriaceous, glabrous. The petioles that flank the flowers look like leaves are elongate, peltate; leaflets 3-9, irregularly toothed or serrate.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stout, rhizomatous or exposed red brown erect.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Drought
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    HIGHLY TOXIC, AND MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, disturbed vision, shortness of breath, irregular pulse, coma, colic, bradycardia, potential cardiac arrest, or sudden death.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cardiac glycosides of the bufadienolide group
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems