MONTY’S PLANT OF THE WEEK

ACONITE Eranthis hyemalis

If you are lucky these will be starting to appear as a blaze of yellow flowers that open in the winter sun. Aconites are best planted now as young plants, or after flowering while the leaves are vigorous. Place them where they will receive sunshine for at least part of the day. Bright orange ‘Guinea Gold’ blooms later than the common aconite (pictured) and is a better choice for a semi-shaded spot. As aconite flowers fade, stalks grow to raise the seed head so the seeds will be scattered more widely. You can also strim the ripe seed heads to fling the seeds even farther.