I fully expected my first flower of the year would be Winter Aconite. I usually see them before Crocus but this year I found them on the same day. The Crocus only won the first flower award by a few minutes. It was pure chance. I could have walked the other way when I took the dog out for her daily adventure.

I can now officially declare my Days of Whine and Dozes are over. Well at least until late winter next year. But from now until then there will be no more whining about the cold or napping during the day.

Winter Aconite – Eranthis hyemalis

A pretty flower but the entire plant and especially the tuber is quite poisonous.

Winter Aconite prefers shadier (deciduous shade) locations with humus rich soil that is moist (not wet) throughout the year.
It will reproduce easily and spread readily to form large colonies if planted in favorable conditions. After blooming the leaves will emerg but by summer the plants will go dormant and disappear.

The Winter Aconite was actually at a friend’s house. Once I spotted the Crocus I headed right over figuring the little yellow flowers must be in bloom. As you can see – I was right as usual

Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t think I’m perfect.

I once thought I made a mistake but it turns out I was wrong.

• Bulbs
• Comments(8)

8 Responses

1. Ratty Says:
   March 27th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

   I like the closeup view of these. Without that, I’d have trouble telling them apart. I haven’t seen any flowers or even normal green things here yet. This is actually the first year I’ve watched for things like that though, so I’m probably passing by a lot of things.

   Ratty,
   I doubt you’re passing things by. If you are – try looking down.

2. sharkbytes Says:
   March 27th, 2009 at 8:18 pm

   I really love the winter aconite, but it seems to not grow here. Just a little south of me. Maybe it’s just all the sand here. Nice pix. Spring is coming, really it is.

   sharkbytes,
   It just might be the sand (and sun). The soil is probably too well drained and drys out too much in the summer. It might be like my Bloodroot. It will only spread out so far from the shade. Once it hits a certain line it won’t grow because the sun drys out the soil too much.

   Spring is really here – temps in the 50s and new life starting to sprout. I expect set backs but the winter’s back has been broken.

3. sharkbytes Says:
   March 27th, 2009 at 9:20 pm

   Just got you on my blogroll. I really like your stuff.

   sharkbytes,
   Whoot! Way to pad my comments.
   I aim to please (myself), if anyone gets caught in the crossfire all the better.

4. Grammy Says:
   March 28th, 2009 at 5:03 am

   Yea spring is on it’s way there too !
   My daffodil crocus and hyacinths are in bloom at the same time. I have never see this before. And they are talking snow here. Again. I am going south for the winter next year. I have to start making me some new wings.

   Grammy,
   Sounds like your bulbs were as tired of winter as both of us. I expect to see ore snow before spring is over but it won’t bother me. I know it’s doomed to melt quickly. I’m afraid wings won’t help me, I’m getting more and more afraid of heights. Maybe if I start walking now I can get far enough south to avoid winter.

5. rainfield61 Says:
   March 28th, 2009 at 6:07 am

   A pretty flower is quite poisonous. But I still like prettiness. Am I playing wire fire?

   rainfield,
   Only if you put every pretty thing you see in your mouth.

6. Monica Says:
   March 28th, 2009 at 9:12 am

   Hooray!!! I planted aconite for the first time this fall, but I always heard it bloomed before crocuses, too. It didn’t. Mine was several days behind, but it’s still so cute! P.S. Thank [deity of choice or forces of nature], I still have some dozey time left!

   Monica,
   I think the big difference here was the locations. The crocus was in full sun and the aconite was located in a shady area. The difference made different ‘micro’ climates.

   Don’t make any tea from the aconite or you’ll be dirt dozing.

7. cindee Says:
   March 29th, 2009 at 12:47 am

   Great pictures(-; I love yellow flowers(-:

   cindee,
   don’t eat the yellow flowers that bloom in snow

8. Susan Says:
   March 29th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

   I love spring flowers!… too bad mine won’t survive much longer after today’s rain and thunderstorms…

   I have a question… how close to the ground do you get to take those pictures?.. like the yellow crocus above…

   I’m new at digital pictures and still trying to figure the whole thing by myself…
   ~ I guess you could say the whole “FFFF” digital thing ~

   My camera is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ4 … I got it a few months ago and still can’t get used to not having a viewfinder!…
   I love taking pictures of animals… but
   by the time I manage to focus on a deer or any other moving thing… I have gone through my whole repertoire of “F’s and S’s”… lol

   Thank goodness I can look at your pretty pictures!

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