Eranthis

Categories
- »
  Active list
  - » Eranthis

Often know as 'Winter Aconites' these like damp leafy soils in light shade. They are tolerant plants in the garden and will thrive in peaty or limey soils, as long as they have water, light shade and good drainage.

The fertile, more vigorous species such as hyemalis and cilicica are ideal for naturalising and semi-wild gardening. The infertile Guinea Gold is sufficiently vigorous that it will virtually naturalise, by offsetting, when happy.

Like many Ranunculaceae they dislike being moved too much and detest being dried out and desiccated. Tubers may sulk for an entire season, making no above ground growth, or dying back quickly, while they establish a root system. They usually come up full of vigour the following year as long as they have not be damaged by an exploratory finger checking their welfare! Doubles may often sulk by reverting to single or semi double flowers for a season.

These are plump, nursery-propagated top-sized corms, propagated in cultivation, they are not tiny, dried, wild-collected 'mummies', such as you will see in garden centres and supermarkets.

Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

Eranthis hyemalis Grunling

This translates as Greenfinch (the bird) and has yellow petals striped on the exterior, along their length with an irregular, central lime-green band,or bands.

Very distinctive and appealing and different from anything in the UK so far. Seemingly very vigorous

Bred by Ruth Treff.


Eranthis hyemalis Grunlingerahyegru	£9.50
Large view

Eranthis hyemalis Grunspecht

A new introduction from Germany. Our source described this as a "semi plena" (in German) which is all that we knew about it when we obtained our stock for propagation.

Subsequently it has proven to have semi-double flowers, of a good yellow, with between 12 and 19 segments, the outermost of which are clouded and lined with green in the manner of the single flowered plant Grunling.

This is a very vigorous cultivar, perhaps our largest in leaf. It should be noted that almost all of these new semi-doubles appearing from continental breeders rarely, if ever behave typically in their first season. The first spring after planting most Grunspecht did not even flower or aborted. A few threw a single flower (making it look like Grunling), the remainder were typical. It seems to be a characteristic foible, not a fault and not incorrect identity. They settle down thereafter and behave, (until you split the clump)!

The German name translates as that of the Green Woodpecker.


Eranthis Grunspechteragrugru	£9.50
Large view

Eranthis hyemalis Schwefelglanz

A bright sulphur yellow E. hyemalis form from Germany. We think that this translates either as Sulphur glory or Sulphur Brilliance. It is said to come true from seed.

A very worthwhile form, totally distinct with apricot buds which open to flowers of a pale, pastel yellow, marked with the finest hairstreaks of apricot. The colour of sulphur rather than the acid lemon yellow of the normal form. The colouring is superb, you really need to see it, of course, to appreciate how different it is from the normal form. This having been said it makes a marvellous companion plant for the normal form. A truly distinct variant still new are uncommon in UK gardens, First offered 2010.

Shown here side by side with a rather small hyemalis for colour comparison.

Bred by Ruth Treff.


Eranthis hyemalis Schwefelglanzerahyesch	£9.00
Large view

Eranthis tubergenii

This is a cross between Eranthis cilicica and Eranthis hyemalis of horticultural origins. It is NOT Guinea Gold and is not entitled to that name, but could perhaps do with one of its own as it is an excellent plant which needs distinguishing.

Makes a very good display with large slightly fragrant, lemon-peel yellow flowers, fully a week earlier than Guinea Gold. Ordinary garden conditions.


Eranthis tubergeniieratubtub	£5.50
Large view