Winter Aconite Eranthis cilicica
Other plants called Winter Aconite:
Previously known as:
- Eranthis hyemalis var. cilicica
- Eranthis isaurica
- Phonetic Spelling
- eer-RAN-this ce-LIS-eh-ka
- Description
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A small bulb that is easy to grow with bright yellow flowers that naturalizes easily in woodland or meadow gardens. It prefers full sun to partial shade, in moist well-draining high organic matter soils. They look beautiful planted along walkways, in rock gardens, or in the front of borders. Grow near a window so the flowers can be enjoyed in the winter.
During its blooming period, full sun will give you the best blooms. After flowering, some shade will allow this plant to flourish.
Its leaves will emerge after flowering has completed.
Although the plant will go dormant after flowering, consistent moisture is needed throughout the year.
Under optimum conditions, this plant can self-seed and naturalize to form a colony.
Once planted, this specimen should not be transplanted. Transplants tend to not do as well as when left in their original location.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: So serious issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eranthis
- Species:
- cilicica
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- One of the earliest plants to bloom.
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Turkey, Afghanistan and Iraq
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Defines Paths
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Late winter cup-shaped bright yellow flowers with 6 petals that have a collar of leaf-like bracts. Blooms appear even before crocus and resemble buttercup flowers.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Basal leaves with lobes often push up through winter snow.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
