Eranthis 2013

[hadacekf]

Maggi, No, this place is shady and dry, but not warm.

[Maggi Young]

Thank you  Franz - if warmth is not a factor then  it seems sure that ours are rotting off during our wet summer - perhaps a cover in summer would be enough to help them - we must experiment!

[hadacekf]

A good idea, but not too dry. Good luck!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

A good idea, but not too dry. Good luck!

It can never get too dry in Scotland Franz... ! 

[Maggi Young]

That is exactly what Ian said, Luc!

[Alan_b]

My one attempt to grow Eranthis cilicica was a failure; it did not last beyond the first year.  I planted it under a chestnut tree (where E. hyemalis is now thriving).  This spot is bone dry in summer and never very wet.  Not a chance of rotting off there but it did no good. 

[Tim Ingram]

Eranthis pinnatifida is quite exquisite! A good plant for a really choice trough - but what would you choose to go with it?

This is an illustration of 'Winter Aconites' taken from a 1911 edition of Amateur Gardening. A very lovely garden plant, but I've not tried any of the more recent selections, except for the choice 'Guinea Gold' in a pot. There can't be many plants which can spread so beautifully and naturally in the garden.

[kalle-k.dk]

I grow Eranthis cilicica under a very big ash tree, I started with a few tubers, they spread well and now I do not know how many there are. Same place I also grow hyamalis flora plena and Eranthis x tubergenii "Guinea Gold" The place is raised and after Eranthis, Anemone and Galanthus the place is covered with big Hosta leaves and therefore I think the soil is very dry at summer.

[Alan_b]

Hmm, I had never thought of hostas and snowdrops as companion plants (although I have pots of hostas that combine well with Iris reticulata, planted for winter interest).     

[Lesley Cox]

That one surprises me Alan as Iris reticulata forms like it really hot and dry here in summer while snowdrops never like to be dried right out for me, even the middle eastern ones prefer if not damp, at least dry and shaded conditions while dormant. They do grow well with hostas, but of the smaller, more compact varieties which also are not allowed to be totally dry.

My only attempt with E. cilicica was a total failure, fresh seed given to me from Germany and absolutely nil germination. Crocus and snowdrop seed sent at the same time germinated well.

[Alan_b]

We are wandering off topic here, Lesley, but hostas (the larger ones at least) are far, far more drought tolerant than they are usually given credit for (although exactly as you ought to expect from a plant with waxy fleshy leaves).  I simply don't water mine that often and we don't get a lot of rain here.   

[Lesley Cox]

You're right there Alan, especially the modern hybrids are very drought tolerant, with such thick leaves. This has the advantage of making them quite slug-proof too.

[Janis Ruksans]

By my opinion the best companion plants for early bulbs are Hosta and Paeonia. Both came out later giving time for early bulbs, later shading spot and taking away excessive moisture by lush foliage. In early spring bulbs makes colour on at that time empty Hosta and Paeonia beds.
Janis

[mark smyth]

I used to have Eranthis longistipitata in a terracotta pot in the green house but after years of no flowers I planted it outside in a trough. I have no memory of when I put it in the trough but just now while looking at snowdrops I spotted furled dark green leaves. The label reads Eranthis longistipitata. It wasnt planted out in 2012 so could have been 2011. I hope it flowers but after a year or more underground it may not have the food reserve.

[chris]

here is mine Eranthis pinatifida, I let them out for the first week frost than i put it inside the greenhouse