Anemone de Caen

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On the way home from my weekly chiropractic appointment, I pass a florist who, at this time of year, regularly has Anemone de Caen.
I can't resist buying them and it is always a pleasure to watch the buds open in the warmth of the house to show the extravagant arrangement of stamen and pistils in velvety blacks and greys.
I suppose that we have the people of Caen to thank for the hybridizing of this colourful piece of floristry, but the species from which it developed is the mostly red Anemone coronaria.
In fact, the name Anemone is derived from its namesake Adonis who is also known as Naamen. His blood blood is said to have given rise to the blood-red flowers of Anemone coronaria.
A Bowl of Anemones. by photography pioneer John Dillwyn Llewellyn




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