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Eranthis (
Ranunculaceae) is a family of perennials with tuberous
rhizomes, which flower from winter to early spring.
They light up these dark days with an almost luminous
yellow, which associates well with snowdrops. Three
main species seem to be commonly grown in our gardens, - E,
cilicia, E. hyemalis, and a hybrid, garden-bred from these
two, E. x tubergenii..
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Eranthis cilicia is found in Turkey, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
In its native habitat, it flowers soon after snow
melt in Alpine pastures, mountain slopes and woodland
margins. In cultivation it is the most difficult to
grow, needing more sun, and a drying period in summer.
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| Eranthis
hyemalis, the common winter aconite,
is native to Southern Europe, and has naturalised across
much of western Europe, including Britain. It grows
in rocky places and woodland, and is entirely hardy.
A garden cultivar bred from E. x
tubergenii is named "Guinea Gold", which is the
plant illustrated in this article. It is hardier than
E cilicia, and with the biggest flower. Paul
Christian, of Rareplants, finds that these varieties of
Eranthis do well in the garden in limey and peaty soils, as
long as they have light shade, water and good drainage.
Brian Mathew, however, suggests that they
are particularly good in soils that tend towards the
alkaline. |
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I grow Eranthis hyemalis in the light shade of woodland, and
Eranthis tubergenii "Guinea Gold" in the rockery,
where it gets the afternoon sun. They can all be
temperamental. The tubers can take a year's
"sabbatical", presumably to refresh themselves,
and to reappear the next spring as bright as ever.
Because E. tubergenii "Guinea Gold" flowers later
in the spring, I get a constant flash of gold during most of
January until mid March. |
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