Winter Aconite: Flower of North Texas

Believe it or not, Winter Aconite makes the top ten list for winter flowers grown in North Texas. Mainly a wildflower growing in rocky regions, aconites flourish more abundantly in a well-manicured garden. Their low growing nature, 3" to 4", will turn your bare garden into a yellow and green carpet when February comes around. In order for this to happen in a timely manner you will need to plant them during mid-fall. The scientific name for this flower is Eranthis Hyemalis. Most North Texans refer to it as Eranthis or Aconite.

This tuberous plant needs a loose well-drained soil in order to grow so abundantly. Their tubers need to be separated around three to four years from first planting them. Since planting them on time is essential in North Texas, this is not a guarantee they will bloom in February. It may be near mid-March before yours may bloom. Try not to become discouraged should they take longer to bloom. Tuberous type flowers eventually bloom on a timely basis after the first year of growth.

North windows are not the best place to grow winter aconite in window boxes. They need partial to full-sun to grow well. Keep in mind these are a winter to spring flower, thus they will fade away along with your grape hyacinths. One of the popular ways of growing winter aconite in North Texas is as a ground cover under a tree's canopy. The second most popular way of growing them is to hide the trunks of bushes bordered around the edge of a house. Winter aconite does well also in just about any container you provide them with.

It is interesting to see how each North Texan will integrate these showy flowers in their yard or home. Yes, you can grow it indoors, too as long as they get enough light. They are a wonderful gift to give in a floral arrangement. Interlaced around other flowers in a sidewalk garden, yellow aconites will stand out. Grass green colored leaves open up once the flower begins to bloom. Large patio containers seem to be growing in number bearing these flowers in them.

North Texas seems to have aconite growing wild in some places. More than likely those from Europe who settled long before us must have planted them since aconite is not native to Texas. Trying to collect wild tubers of aconite may be a fruitless effort, as they may not grow in a civilized way. This is also true for many bluebonnets, too. Maybe this is just the right flower for you to bring back color to your garden.