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Bulbs for Shady Places -- Part 2

© Marge Talt

Some More Favorite Early Spring Bloomers

Last time, I talked about some of my favorite early spring bloomers. Here are a few more that do well in shady gardens.

Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite)

More information and photos of Eranthis hyemalis

I have to admit that I have had poor success in establishing this species. I've had visions of cheerful yellow carpets of winter aconites under trees in early spring, (they are some of the earliest to appear) but they haven't been fulfilled. I have grown clutches of these plants, but they have not lasted. They like moist spots, so it may very well be that the places I've put them have just been too dry.

There are about seven species of these perennial herbs. They have tubers, not true bulbs and resent being dried off for sale. To help ensure that they come up for you, soak the tubers before planting and get them in the ground as soon as you can. I will try them again, in different locations. Remember, never give up on a plant until you've killed it at least three times!

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Anemones

There are about 120 species of Anemone. Technically, they aren't "bulbs" at all. Most of them are rhizomatous or rooted perennial herbs. However, the early spring flowering kinds are generally sold with fall-planted, spring flowering bulbs. Those most usually available in the stores and fall bulb catalogs are A. blanda and cultivars and hybrids of A. coronaria. A. blanda is reliably hardy in my USDA zone 7 garden. These are charming plants. I've tried some of the blue and pink flowered ones, but I really prefer the white...which is also the most persistent one, at least for me.

The "Poppy" anemones like the 'de Caen' strain (single flowers) and the 'St. Brigid' strain ( semidouble or double flowers) are supposedly hardy from USDA zones 7 to 10, but will not come back for me.

More information and photos on Anemone blanda

Like most other minor bulbs, A. blanda will tolerate a fair amount of shade during their dormant period, so they are good for planting under deciduous trees and shrubs.

I have not noticed signs of these being eaten, but they are among those plants that my local squirrel population move to new locations and I've read that they are attractive to rodents and squirrels. I do think that new plantings are more vulnerable than established groups.