Pheasant’s Eye
The pheasant’s eye plant is the common name for Adonis vernalis. In
some places, it is also called the “Sweet Vernal” or “False Hellebore.”
It is a perennial flower from the steppelands of central Asia, which
grows wildly in dry, rocky soil. The pheasant’s eye generally blooms in
the spring and has bright yellow flowers. Each flower sports twenty
petals and achieves a maximum diameter of roughly four inches. The bold
flowers generally attract bees, flies, and beetles, which pollinate the
plant. The stems of the pheasant’s eye are fairly short, and rarely
reach more than nine inches in height.
Historically, this plant has been harvested for its medicinal
properties. It is known to be a diuretic and a treatment for low blood
pressure. However, it is now most commonly seen as a garden plant.
The pheasant’s eye is remarkably easy to grow compared to other garden
plaints. It can thrive in a variety of soil types, but prefers light or
loamy soils that are well drained. While the pheasant’s eye prefers full
sunlight exposure, it can also survive and bloom in a semi-shaded area.
The plant requires minimal additional watering and actually thrives in
drier soils. The hardiness of the pheasant’s eye means it requires
little, if any, fertilizer. However, it also means that this plant may
disturb its neighbors. Therefore, it should be kept away from more
delicate plants, especially legumes. The one problem growers encounter
when growing a pheasant’s eye is the attack of slugs. Slugs are
attracted to these plants and will feed off them, causing wilting.
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