Id-Code: AA 490
Family: Ranunculaceae
Origin: Europe to the Caucasus
Special Features: Sweet smelling, pure white blossoms and wooly seed heads
History: Plant associated with Adonis in Greek mythology
Colour: Pure white
Natural Flowering Period: April - June
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-9
Growth Habit: Spreading underground stolons form nice groundcover
Foliage: Palmate leaves (3-5 parts)
Height with Flowers: 30 cm (12'')
Spacing between Plants: 40 cm (16'')
Soil Requirements: Soil enriched in organic matter, pH 5.5 - 6.8
Location: Full sun or partial shade, especially in warmer climates
Use: Plant with Helleborus 'Lady Series', Heuchera 'Dale's Strain' and Rohdea japonica
Specialities: Good candidate for seasonal groundcover for planting among early-flowering spring bulbs
Cultural Tips:
Scheduling:
Growing On:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 0,4
Seeds per Gram: 2500
Seeding Recommendation: 1 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2-3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 128 or 288
Germination: Rapidly germinating, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C [68°F]. Do not cover the seeds but tightly press into the earth. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs. The germination might be slower and more irregular. This poses no problems.
Best Sowing Dates: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 2 - 3 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 6 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 4 - 8 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not necessary
Container Size(s): 1 plug per 8/9 cm (3 1/2''); 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2'')
Vernalization: There is no current research on vernalization but a prudent recommendation for any perennial would be 6-12 weeks (a few might need 15 weeks!) at an average daily temperature of 40°F (5°C). Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality.
Forcing: An obvious place to experiment - following vernalization - would be raising daytime temperatures to 60° - 65°F (15° - 17°C). Provide 16 hours of continuous lighting. During the short days of winter, provide a night interruption lighting of 4 hours between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)
