How do you Grow Winter Aconites?
This can be a difficult question to answer for beginner gardeners because of numerous factors including climate, soil, and experience level.
This article will help solve this problem and give beginner gardeners Easy-to-Follow Steps on growing winter aconites ANYWHERE.
And I recommend scrolling to the bottom of this page to find answers to the 8 most frequently asked questions most gardeners have when growing winter aconites.
Step #1: Plant Only One Type of Winter Aconite
While most perennial flowers have numerous types that you can grow, winter aconites only have one specific type. This is because it is typically considered a wild flower.
A) Winter Aconite
- Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
- Length & Width: 3 inches x 1 inch
- Watering Needs: Little
- Sun Exposure: Partial-Sun
- Bloom Time: Late Spring
Winter aconites are a wild perennial flower that signals the first signs of spring when they bloom.
While you typically find winter aconites in the wild, it is not uncommon to find them in your yard, garden, or even growing in gardening pots.
This perennial flower is invasive, so it only takes a few bulbs to grow your own flower garden.
But be careful, this flower is poisnous to small children and pets.
Step #2: How to Grow Winter Aconites from Bulbs
Winter Aconites are a beautiful flower that blooms in early to mid-spring.
This is a perennial flower that will spread underground, so you will want to make sure to give them room when planting.
Step 1 – Plant Your Winter Aconite Bulbs in the Fall
First, make sure you buy your appropriate Winter Aconites on Amazon or from another reputable garden vendor.
Plant your winter aconite bulbs in the fall when your soil has cooled off & the temperature is between 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
And Make sure to plant your bulbs before the first frost!
Take the temperature of your soil and ensure that it will stay below 60 degrees for 12 weeks or think about planting your winter aconites in pots.
- Hardiness Zones 3 – 5: Plant in September
- Hardiness Zones 6 – 7: Plant in October
- Hardy Zones 8 – 9: Plant in December
*Find Your Hardiness Zone HERE*
Step 2 – Prepare Your Soil THIS Way!
Locate the area of your flower garden or yard where you want to plant your winter aconites.
- Winter Aconites do best in an area that receives partial to full afternoon sun.
- The soil should be well-draining and should be neutral to slightly acidic (6.0 – 7.0 pH level).
- The flower garden should be well protected from wind and heavy rain.
Mix 3 inches of Flower Garden Soil to the top 6 inches of your garden soil. This is critical so that your winter aconite tubers are protected during harsh winter.
Step 3 – Simply Plant Your Winter Aconite Bulbs
To have the most success planting your bulbs you should simply dig a hole 6 inches deep and plant your winter aconites about 3-6 inches apart.
*Make sure the Winter Aconite Bulbs “pointy” part is facing up*
Then mix flower fertilizer (that has a 10-10-10 NPK ratio) in the hole (according to the the instructions). And then fill the holes with your flower and garden soil mix.
Next, water your winter aconite bulbs for 15 seconds. This will help promote the start of root growth. Continue to water your bulbs for 15 seconds once a week for the first month.
Then continue this process for as many bulbs as you want to grow. Make sure to spread each set of 10 winter aconite bulbs 6 inches apart.
Step 4 – Do THIS in the Winter
In the beginning of winter you will want to mulch your flower garden bed.
After you mulch the flower garden bed do nothing else to your winter aconite bulbs the rest of winter.
Step 5 – And do THIS in the Spring
Once the year becomes spring and your winter aconites grow leaves then you should add flower fertilizer again.
Then water your winter aconites once a week until your winter aconites bloom.
As soon your winter aconite petals fall off the flower deadhead it.
And make sure to keep your leaves on the flower for 6 weeks while your flower absorbs and retains energy for next year’s bloom.
Step 6 – Maintain minimal maintenance in summer
Once it becomes summer you should cut the stem and leaves of your winter aconites where it meets the soil.
Do not water your winter aconites in the summer. Do not fertilize your winter aconites in the summer. Simply leave your winter aconites in the ground all summer.
Frequently Asked Questions (8 Questions)
#1. How Do You Grow Winter Aconites in Pots?
If you are not able to plant your winter aconite bulbs in an area your garden or yard, or if your soil will not stay below 60 degrees Fahrenheit then you should plant your Winter Aconites in a container.
To have the most success planting Winter Aconite Bulbs in pots you should do the following:
- Bury your bulbs in a container with 8 inches of Flower Garden Soil over it.
- Make sure the “pointy” end of the bulb is facing up
- Immediately water your winter aconite bulbs for 15 seconds
- Before the first frost of the year move your container to an area of your property that is cool and dry. Keep it here throughout winter
- Once you notice green growth emerging in the winter move your container into a sunny area and begin watering it once a week.
- Once your winter aconite petals fall off you will want to deadhead your flower.
- Let the green growth of your plant remain for 6 weeks. Then cut it and your stem where it meets your soil.
#2. How Do I Water My Winter Aconites?
You should water your Winter Aconites three different ways.
- Immediately after you plant your winter aconite bulbs you should soak the soil for 15 seconds
- Continue watering your winter aconite bulbs once a week for the first month and then don’t water until the spring
- Begin watering your winter aconites once a week once green growth returns in the spring
#3. How Do I Fertilize My Winter Aconites?
To properly feed your winter aconites with the fertilizer you should wait until the winter aconite flowers have faded and begun falling off your flower.
To have the most success use Winter Aconite Fertilizer. This will help your winter aconites store nutrients properly for the next season.
For best results, simply follow the instructions on your fertilizer product.
#4. How Do I Prybe Winter Aconites?
While winter aconites typically don’t need pruned after the flowers fall off of the petal.
With that being said, if you want to prune your winter aconites you will want to cut them where the stalk meets the ground. It’s as easy as that.
#5. How Do I Protect my Winter Aconites from Pests
The biggest threat to your winter aconites is deer, squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks. This is both when your winter aconites are growing and blooming.
To prevent your bulbs from digging up place bird netting over the ground where they are planted.
If you are trying to prevent deer then you should use deer repellent. If this does not work then grow your winter aconite bulbs in pots and containers out of the deer’s reach.
#6. How do I Prevent Common Winter Aconites Diseases
The most common winter aconite diseases are fungus
You can help prevent this by planting your winter aconite in a well-draining area of your yard or garden. Make sure that this spot also receives plenty of sunlight.
#7. What types of Bulb Should I buy?
Purchasing Winter Aconite Bulbs is a much easier task than say vegetable or herb seeds, where you have to worry about GMOs, Organic, Heirloom, etc.
When buying winter aconite bulbs you should stick to hybrid or heirloom. These will give you the best success in growing Winter Aconites.
Hybrid Winter Aconite Bulbs are weakened perennials that may or may not come up every year.
Heirlom Winter Aconite Bulbs are perennial bulbs that come up yearly but have a higher risk of contracting a disease, harmful insect, or fungus.
Just as important is where you buy your bulbs from. I recommend buying your seeds from Amazon. This will provide you with the best price and quickest delivery.
#8. What Type of Gardening Pot Should I Buy?
I recommend buying one type of pot.
Buy a 5-gallon pot.
- This is essential if you want to allow your winter aconites to grow to its fullest. It is also important if you want to continue to grow your winter aconites outside.
