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 December
2003
 Phacelia
sericea
November
2003
Campanula
rotundifolia
October
2003
Tulipa
batalanii
September
2003
Allium
oreophilum
August
2003
Verbena
canadensis
July
2003
Pterocephalus
pinardii
June
2003
Campanula
kemulariae
May
2003
Delphinium
glareosum
April
2003
Anemone
ranunculoides
March
2003
Trillium
nivale
 February
2003
Adonis
vernalis
January
2003
Penstemon
davidsonii v menziesii
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2002
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2001
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2000
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1999
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1998
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1997
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Plant
of the Month
February
2003
Adonis
vernalis
by Iza Goroff
Adonis
vernalis is a member of the Ranunculaceae, the
Buttercup family, a family it shares with many rock garden
genera, including Ranunculus, Aconitum, Actea,
Anemone,Anemonella, Aquilegia, Clematis, Delphinium, …
. Adonis is a Eurasian genus with about 40 species, some
annuals, most perennials. Adonis
vernalis is native to central and eastern Europe,
usually in lime-based rocky soils.
Adonis
vernalis grows to a mound about 8" (20 cm) tall and
20" (50 cm) wide after several years, although it will begin
blooming at less than half that size. A purchased plant
started with one flower the second year, three the next,
eventually with more than 35 flowers a few years later.
These are not small flowers; each was about 3 1/2" (9 cm) in
diameter. A leaf is a semicircle of filigree green,
attractive for much of the year.
Adonis
vernalis is an easy plant to grow, requiring drainage
and at least a half day of sun. One of the pictured plants
was planted in a peaty soil where it prospered, despite the
sometimes recommendation that it requires lime.
Adonis
vernalis may be grown from seed. Unlike many of the
Ranunculaceae, Adonis vernalis seed has a long life; one
plant germinated after 4 years in the flat. Although it may
be divided, one may experience an unacceptable failure
rate.
Adonis
vernalis is hardy to -31 F (-35 C) and very long
lived.
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