"Adonis"

About Adonis

Adonis is also known as Pheasant's Eye, Flower of Adonis and Birdseye. Pronounced 'Ado'nis'.

Adonis flowers are a bright and deep yellow in color on 12 inch (30cm) long stems. They resemble large buttercups and measure about 2 inches (5cm) across.

The name Adonis comes from Greek mythology. Ares was in love with Aphrodite and extremely jealous. For Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was already smitten by the handsome youth Adonis. So Ares plotted to kill Adonis by changing himself into a wild boar. Afterwards Aphrodite changed his limp body into a flower - the Adonis.

Adonis cut flowers are available in early summer. Best bought when the petals have opened but are not lying flat.

What to Do When You Receive Your Adonis Flowers

1. Unpack your flowers straightaway.

2. Use a clean vase. Fill it with clean lukewarm water and add a floral preservative solution, following the instructions provided.

3. Cut off all the foliage on the stem that would be below the water level in the vase. Also remove any damaged leaves or flowers, and any yellowing foliage.

4. Cut off about 1 inch (2.5cm) from the bottom of the flower stems with the stems under water. Make the cut at an angle so that the flower stems do not rest flat on the bottom of the vase.

By doing this you help your Adonis to maintain water uptake. Air bubbles and debris tends to collect in the bases of the stems and ,if this is not removed, water flow in the stems is greatly restricted. The cut should be at an angle and not flat across. You do not want the flower stems resting flat on the bottom of the vase since this will also restrict water uptake.

5. Arrange your flowers in the vase so that they are attractively displayed.

6. Keep Adonis in a cool place and out of direct sunlight. Avoid draughts which will dehydrate the flowers. They do not like very hot or cold areas. In a hot place in the direct sun the flowers will soon die.

Care of Your Adonis Flowers

1. Check the water level frequently and top up the vase with lukewarm water to avoid chilling the flowers.

2. Regularly remove damaged, or dying flowers and foliage. This helps the flowers last longer.

3. Every 3 or 4 days remove the flowers from the vase. And cut off about 1 inch (2.5cm) from the bottom of the flower stems under water and at an angle . This will maintain good water uptake.

Flower Life

Adonis have a vase life of 5 to 6 days.

In Japan it is customary to use Adonis amurensis for special New Year's Day flower arrangements. The Japanese name Fuku-jyu means a happy and long life, so it is an appropriate wish to mark the occasion.

Growing Adonis Outside in the Garden

Adonis should be grown in a light, fertile soil that is moist, but well-drained . Adonis amurensis prefers a neutral to acidic soil . Adonis vernalis likes alkaline soil. They prefer partial shade. Avoid windy places. Adonis brevistyla in particular needs a position sheltered from cold, dry winds. Plant with the crown about an inch below the soil surface.

The plant has attractive, fern-like, finely cut, rather ornamental foliage. The flowering stems grow about 12 inches (30cm) high. Spread is some 12 inches (30cm).

Propagation

Divide the root clumps in August, after flowering. But Adonis dislikes disturbance. Growing from seed is a very slow process. Fresh seed can be sown in a sandy soil in late summer, but germination takes a long time. And it takes from three to four years, after transplanting,to flower in its full glory.

Types of Adonis

Adonis amurensis flowers in April. It is is native to mountain meadows of Europe, and Manchuria, Korea and Japan. Some flowers have bronze tints on the underside. Adonis amurensis 'Sandanzaki' has most unusual flowers with alternate layers of ragged petals in deep yellow and green. This new perennial variety comes from Japan. It prefers deep shade.

Adonis brevistyla produces white buttercup-shaped flowers marked with blue underneath in early summer. It is perennial and comes from damp, shaded areas in Bhutan and West China.

Adonis vernalis grows in dry, rocky scrub and grasslands in Europe, Finland and Russia. This perennial bears bright yellow flowers in the early spring.

The annuals include Adonis aestivalis (deep red flowers) and Adonis annua (bright red flowers). Some of the annuals bloom in Autumn .

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