Adonis ‘Fukujukai’

A cross between two Adonis species from Japan

Many often consider Adonis ‘Fukujukai’ as a cultivar of A. amurensis, a plant native to Japan, Manchuria, eastern Siberia and Sakhalin. Actually, Adonis amurensis has nothing at all to do with this plant. Adonis ‘Fukujukai’ represents a cross between Adonis ramosa, from Hokkaido, Honshu and Shikoku and Adonis multiflora, from Honshu and Kyushu, Korea and Manchuria.

Adonis ‘Fukujukai’ is a sterile triploid, found either in the wild or occurring sometimes spontaneously in gardens where both parents grow. For some reason most, if not all Adonis with yellow flowers and much-divided leaves have in the past been ascribed to A. “amurensis” in European gardens.

Adonis ‘Fukujukai’ flowers in early spring

In some years, growth begins in late December when the new developing buds push up through the soil. Growth then halts until the days lengthen a little in late January, early February. Now the buds, still quite tightly shut, push their way through the still cold soil followed by a ruff of multi-dissected, bronze tinged leaves. A day or two of sunshine and the buds open to reveal typical ranunculaceae-type golden yellow flowers. In some individuals these may appear singularly or on multi-blooming stems. Growth now moves apace, the stems lengthen considerably and the plant looses much of its initial grace.

A good garden plant

Adonis ‘Fukujukai’ is best grown in the garden. A humus-rich soil is important as this is a hungry plant. Its parents both prefer edge of woodland to deciduous forest habitats. Consequently, some shade is best provided as the foliage remains above ground until well into the late summer. Leaf scorching will occur if exposed to severe sunshine. It does, however make a good show plant. It should be lifted the previous autumn and set in a pot large enough to accommodate its substantial root system.

Author

Ray Drew