Adonis

Adonis comprises a group of clump forming perennial and annual plants producing individual anemone like flowers. some like the perennial Adonis amurensis appearing from late winter to spring in advance of the fine fern like foliage.

Adonis brevistyla and Adonis vernalis also flower perennially during the spring, producing white or yellow blooms.

Adonis aestivalis is an annual form that flowers in mid-summer.

The varying forms of Adonis have differing cultivation requirements, some requiring moist shady conditions others full open sunny well drained sites.

Varieties: -


Adonis. aestivalis © Thompson & Morgan	Form: Clump forming annuals Height: 18 inches Position: Sun or Partial Shade Foliage: Ornamental, leathery foliage. Flowers: Prolific, cup shaped, blood red, black centred flowers. Germination: Easy Aftercare: Easy Sowing Instructions: Sow March-April or August-September for over-wintering. Optimum Germination Temperature: 60-65^oF (15-18^oC). Sowing Depth: 1/8 Inch (3 mm). The seed should be sown outdoors where it is to flower in spring and again in autumn in mild winter areas and thinned out to 6in (15cm) apart. Growing Instructions: Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Grow on in a cold frame and plant out the following spring 30cm (12in) apart in full sun or part shade. Plant in ordinary garden soil.

Adonis. amurensis	Form: Clump forming perennials Height: 12in (30cm) Spread: 9-12in (23-30cm) Foliage: Produces mid-green finely cut foliage. Flowers: In late winter, early spring it produces buttercup-like yellow flowers. Adonis. amurensis var 'Fukujukai' is highly esteemed by Japanese Gardeners. Despite its fragile appearance it manages to shrug off the worst of the Winter weather.

Adonis. brevistyla	Form: Clump forming perennials Height: 6-9in (15-23cm) Spread: 6-9in (15-23cm) Foliage: Having finely cut green leaves Flowers: In early spring single white flowers (tinted blue on the outside) are produced on the tips of stems.

Adonis. vernalis	Form: Clump forming perennials Height: 6-9in (15-23cm) Spread: 6-9in (15-23cm) Foliage: Having mid-green, delicately dissected leaves Flowers: In early-Spring buttercup-like yellow flowers are produced.

Authors Comment:-

Adonis amurensis

Not many plants provide winter / early spring flowers.

I would suggest that Adonis has its place in any garden, especially near the entrance to your home, or on the path to your front door, simply as an uplifting reminder that better weather is about to arrive.