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Re: eranthis hyemalis (winter aconite)

Spring ephemerals are plants that are present in the spring, and are
ephemeral, that is, evident for only a short period of time. They emerge in
late winter and early spring, they flower, fruit, and set seed in a matter
of a few weeks. During this short time the ephemeral wildflowers soak up the
sunlight filtering through the naked tree limbs above. Once the trees have
fully leafed out, the ephemerals disappear for an extended period of
dormancy leaving a gap in the garden.  Mertensia (cowslips or Virginia
bluebells) is a well-known ephemeral.  So is Dicentra spectabilis
(old-fashioned bleeding heart).

The plants form seed pods held above the foliage so that they are easy to
see.  Once ripe, the seed actually explodes shooting seed everywhere.  You
want to capture the seeds before they are shot about the garden.  Simply
pinch off the seed head and allow to dry.  I put the heads in a large bowl,
turn until they are completely dry, sift out the seed pods from the seeds
themselves, and store.

Ginny
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