the extra stuff . . .


Anemone is a genus of about 150 species of flowering plants in the buttercup
family Ranunculaceae in the north and south temperate zones. They are closely
related to Pasque flowers (Pulsatilla) and Hepaticas (Hepatica); some botanists
include both of these genera within Anemone.


Many of the species are favourite garden plants; among the best known is
Anemone coronaria, often called the poppy anemone, a tuberous-rooted plant,
with parsley-like divided leaves, and large showy poppylike blossoms on stalks of
from 15–20 cm high; the flowers are of various colours, but the principal are
scarlet, crimson, blue, purple, and white. There are also double-flowered
varieties, in which the stamens in the centre are replaced by a tuft of narrow
petals. It is an old garden favourite, and of the double forms there are named
varieties.


They grow best in a loamy soil, enriched with well-rotted manure, which should be
dug in below the tubers. These may be planted in October, and for succession in
January, the autumn-planted ones being protected by a covering of leaves or
short stable litter. They will flower in May and June, and when the leaves have
ripened should be taken up into a dry room till planting time. They are easily
raised from the seed, and a bed of the single varieties is a valuable addition to a
flower-garden, as it affords, in a warm situation, an abundance of handsome and
often brilliant spring flowers, almost as early as the snowdrop or crocus. Anemone
thrives in partial shade, or in full sun provided they are shielded from the hottest
sun in southern areas. A well-drained slightly acid soil, enriched with compost, is
ideal.



history & symbolism . . .


The meaning of the anemone flower is "forsaken" and also "a dying hope". The
flower Anemone could also be used to signify anticipation.


The Anemone coronaria ("Kalanit" in Hebrew) is one of the best-known and
beloved flowers in Israel. During the British Mandate of Palestine, British soldiers
were nicknamed "Kalaniyot" for their red berrets.


The anemone is called the wind flower because it was believed that wind is what
caused it to bloom.


In Ovid's Metamorphoses (book X), Venus transforms the blood of her dead
lover, Adonis, into an Anemone. One implication is that the blood-red petals are
symbolic of her lost love because, as the verses conclude, they cling too loosely
to the stem and are easily lost in the wind. In some versions of the myth,
Venus's tears cause the transformation.


In the New Testament, Jesus says that even “Solomon in all his glory is not
arrayed” as beautifully as an anemone. Although the traditional English
translation (King James Version) is usually rendered as “lilies of the
field”, the original Greek κρινα (krina) is anemone.


Source : Wikipedia


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