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is it too late for winter aconite?

15 years ago

Hello, I planted winter aconite this past fall and the package said they would come up in January or February. However, I still dont see little green shoots or anything poking up through the ground and its March.... Should I keep waiting or do you think they wont grow? The little snowdrops I planted with them havent come up yet either, but I think maybe its still too early for them?

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Comments (7)

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
15 years ago
In your zone,it might be a little early for them. I think too that newly planted things from the previous fall are sometimes a little later to emerge their first spring. I would not give up hope on them yet. Has the ground been thawed there for very long?

Sue
riley17
Original Author
15 years ago
I'm not sure, I dont think so. Its maybe been thawed for about two weeks. I didnt think about that, lol. Of course the ground cant be frozen for them to come up in, I guess I hit the panic button a little too early. I'm really excited about seeing them though, so I hope they eventually come up.
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Don't give up hope yet. I don't have any direct experience- just planted winter aconite for the first time last fall, and I don't have any snowdrops (will remedy that soon) but spring bulbs are often off schedule their first year. For example, fall 2006 I planted Tete-a-tete daffodils. I thought I had lost them because they're supposed to come up very early and there was no sign of them last spring, while my neighbors' tetes were up and blooming. They eventually did come up and put on an amazing show... in late spring. That said, aconite corms don't have a very long shelf life and they might have expired before being planted. I tried planting snowdrops once before and they didn't come up... probably because I bought them at a box store, but I have heard that they can be hard to establish. But keep an eye out for them- it's way too early to worry.
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I've been going through old gardening magazines looking for gardening projects I remember seeing in them. I happened to come across an article discussing bulbs. The lady that wrote the article has acreage and plants 1000s' of bulbs every fall. To give you an idea as to the amount of bulbs she plants one year she ordered 3500 bulbs in one fall, fortunately she can buy wholesale since she is a garden consultant. To date when the article was printed she had planted over 22 000 bulbs on her property. (I wish I could have that many, it would amazing.) Anyways, getting off topic here. She says concerning winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), she planted 1000 with the expectation that about 200 would survive and flower the following spring. Winter aconites are small tubers that tend to desiccate and die in the process of drying, shipping, and waiting for sale and planting. She tries to obtain them as early as possible (so don't wait for them to go on sale), then soaks the tubers overnight in damp peat moss and then plants promptly. Doing this only a quarter survive. Then she relies on them growing and producing seed to multiply. So, that could be the reason why yours didn't come up. I'd try them again and do her suggestion of soaking them before you plant. I'll still try and remember to let you know if mine make it. I'm hoping mine didn't dry out since they were only out of the ground for a week or so. Syreeta
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Hi Clayton, I have Eranthis hyemalis, but this was their first year ( planted last fall ) and the foliage hasn't quite died down yet, probably because it's been so wet.. I've seen at Botanus that they have the Eranthis for a very reasonable price, and they always send good healthy bulbs. Maybe this will help? ** I'll check out your blog too! Faith
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First, thank you all for very good pointers... I will put them in a gravely spot where it should drain well and I will put some leaves over them. There is a tree nearby so it should shade it so it doesn't thaw and refreeze over and over. Just trying to keep them dormant and not sitting in water ;) Kara, I'm quite envious of your warm climate! I got to see San Fran for a day in early October and weather was perfect to see Golden Gate Park. So beautiful :) I hear ya about the relaxing part... until realizing it takes hours to water them (at least when they are indoors). Dave, they will be out of reach so crossing fingers I get them settled right! Rina, yeah I don't trust that I can get them through the winter as they are in peat based pots...will go with a gritty home for them.
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stimpy926
15 years ago
Galanthus bulbs don't store very well, don't be too surprised if you get a scant showing. They're better purchased 'in the green'.

But, the good news is they naturalize, so if you do get a few, they will get it going.
greenmulberry
15 years ago
I have a well established patch, been here longer than I have owned the house, and it hasn't come up this year yet. We are in the same zone, so don't worry just yet.
ladychroe
15 years ago
They still have some time, give them another few weeks.

Where and when did you purchase them? Eranthus has a short shelf life, and if they are not planted promptly, they die. I ordered from a reputable dealer (B&B), planted immediately and I still had only about 50% come up last spring. The ones that did make it multiplied and look gorgeous this year, by the way. Definitely try again this fall if this batch didn't make it - they are so worth it.
hagey
15 years ago
Today as I looked out of the kitchen window, I saw bright yellow areas in the back yard. I went out to see what it was, and I have about a dozen clumps blooming. They are not as tall as they were last year yet but really look nice.
I live in zone 5, and they are always the first to bloom in the spring. We have had a lot of snow cover this winter, and really have not had too many days above freezing.
I hope you find them coming up soon.
riley17
Original Author
15 years ago
I think I found one!!! I'm not sure what it is though, so it could be any of the hundred + bulbs I planted this spring. lol. I got them from van borgondien, or however you spell it. I planted them right away too, so I'm hoping I get some. I cant tell whats what when its coming up until they flower and then I'll know what these things are that are coming up. I planted some aconite, snowdrops, tulips, daffodils, and siberian squill, english blue bells, uh I had a mental block and forgot the name but its those things that are related to onions, and soem other kinds too. I cant remember where I planted what so I have to wait to see what it all is lol. At least I'll have a nice surprise this spring when everything (hopefully) comes up! Thanks for responding!

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