These tiny yellow blossoms appear in the Garden shortly after the first snowdrops. On a balmier, brighter day, their furled petals will open wide in an early spring welcome to the sun.

Winter aconite, Eranthis hyemalis,  is one of the hardiest, earliest spring-blooming perennials in our zone. At two inches tall, these perennials are easily mistaken for crocuses, but much less likely to be dug up and eaten by squirrels. I appreciate that quality. Every sign of spring is so eagerly awaited, it’s especially disappointing when a rodent has snacked on your defenseless little flower bulbs.

Winter aconite, which grows here in the Western Reserve Herb Society Herb Garden, has other hardy companions in the Garden. Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), fragrant yellow and red witchhazels (Hamamelis species and hybrids), as well as a scattering of snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are all making appearances. Signs of more color to come are the green tips of crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, fritiillaria, scilla, iris, tulip, dotting all the flower beds.

Hang on, aconite! Brighter days are ahead!

Posted by Ann McCulloh

Tags: deer-proof, early spring flowers, Eranthis

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 at 6:04 am and is filed under Ann McCulloh. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.