Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden MeritPlant Eranthis Winter Aconite bulbs before the first frost in fall, and in late winter, they begin blooming in small yellow flowers, resembling tiny buttercups, surrounded by a collar of green bracts. The low-growing plants rise only 2 to 3 inches tall and spread 2 to 4 inches wide, creating a rounded clump of dark green leaves, which appear after the flowers fade. Among the earliest to flower, winter aconite blooms alongside snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis); and together, they make a charming pair that will naturalize in the garden or lawn. An Eranthis hyemalis variety, commonly called aconite, winter aconite, or buttercups, this native European woodland plant is a tuberous perennial with a mounding habit. It is an effective ground cover that spreads quickly and in ideal conditions forms large colonies over time. Because of their initial small size, aconites look best when planted in big groupings in flower beds, borders, and containers or under trees and large shrubs. An easy-grow, easy-care plant, winter aconite is suitable for gardeners of any skill level. Just be sure to plant winter aconite bulbs as soon as possible after receiving them. Place the bulbs 2 to 4 inches apart and 3 inches deep, locating them in a sunny to partially shady spot with moist, free draining but not dry soil. Water well to settle bulbs and feed with a well-balanced fertilizer. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Do not let the soil dry out. Allow foliage to die naturally and remove only after fully wilting. Leaves continue to absorb nourishment that feeds the bulb, improving future growth and blooming. Winter aconite is cold hardy to Zone 4 but should be mulched lightly in winter, and it's deer resistant. Visit our Bulb Supplies page to find all the tools and materials you need to plant and maintain your bulb plants successfully.