Pheasants Eye - Adonis aestivalis

Adonis aestivalis, commonly known as Pheasant's Eye or Summer Adonis, is a pretty annual plant that used to be a common sight in cornfields. Due to the widespread use of herbicides, it has become increasingly rare. It displays lovely little red, anemone-like flowers from July to September, over light and feathery green foliage.

Adonis aestivalis belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). The 50-cm-tall plants have finely cut, bright green, fern-like leaves and small, 3-4 cm circular flowers. The petals are blood red to bright orange with dark basal spots and large, dark purple to black, velvety anthers. The sepals are hairless and attached to the underside of the petals – as opposed to the pubescent sepals of A. flammea and the detached sepals of A. annua.

Pheasant’s Eye is perfect for informal wildflower gardens and cottage gardens. Its bright colour will stand out amongst wispy, windswept ornamental grasses. It is also a popular, long-lasting cut flower.

Good to know: in Greek mythology, Adonis was the lover of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. When hunting, he was attacked and wounded by a wild boar. As he lay dying, Aphrodite turned each drop of his blood into an Adonis flower.

Adonis plants contain toxic compounds that can be harmful if ingested in large amounts. Be careful when growing around livestock, pets and small children.