Already at the end of February the bright yellow flowers of the winter cultivar appear under trees or in the rock garden. The plant is an important food source for bees and other insects looking for nectar during the first warm days. If the winter agaric is allowed to spread freely under trees, it forms magnificent, delicately scented carpets of flowers over the years.
Winterlings bloom while other flowers are still deep in hibernation
plant profile
- Botanical name: Eranthis hyemalis
- German names: Winterling
- Genus: winterlings
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Growth height: 5 to 15 centimeters
- Growth habit: Flat-growing, forms runners
- Main flowering period: February and March
- Leaf color: Strong green
- Leaf shape: Pinnate, fan-shaped or palmate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flower shape: Cup-shaped flowers about two to three centimeters in size
origin
The completely frost-hardy plant originally comes from southern Europe, where it mainly thrives in moist deciduous forests and under bushes. As early as 1588, the botanist Joachim Camerarius the Younger brought back winterlings from a trip to Italy and cultivated them in his garden in Nuremberg. The early bloomer quickly became an attraction in landscape parks and enjoyed increasing popularity among garden lovers.
planting and care
The undemanding winterlings thrive in any normal, slightly acidic garden soil. Place the nodules eight to ten centimeters apart in the fall about five centimeters deep in the ground. Ideally place the plant under deciduous trees where the spring bloomers can spread freely. However, waterlogging should be avoided, as should substrate that is too dry.
Regular supply of mature compost is important. Alternatively, you can leave falling leaves in a layer that is not too thick and let them rot. Refrain from any soil cultivation and only cut back the plants when the leaves have yellowed and drawn in at the end of May.
propagation
Unless you cultivate a sterile breed in your garden, the winterling will sprout itself. However, the small plants need about four years to flower.
Alternatively, you can dig up the ever-growing clumps after they have faded, carefully divide them and move them.
diseases and pests
Winterlings are extremely robust and not very susceptible to pest infestation or diseases. Only rust fungi sometimes cause problems for the heralds of early spring.
tips
Since winterlings are not planted deep, you can carefully dig up the plant in the bud stage and bring it indoors. Make sure that there is sufficient substrate on the tubers and place the spring harbingers in bowls.