Anemone coronaria

Poppy-Flowered Anemone
Ranunculaceae
Perennials, Flowers

ANEMONE

Anemone includes rich and varied group of plants ranging in size from alpine rock garden miniatures to tall Japanese anemones grown in borders; bloom extends from very early spring to fall, depending on species.

Most of the anemones described here have fibrous roots or creeping rhizomes or rootstocks, but Anemone blanda, Anemone coronaria, and Anemone x fulgens are grown from tubers requiring special attention. Set out Anemone blanda in fall; where winter temperatures drop below –10°F/ –23°C, apply a thick mulch after first hard frost. Plant Anemone coronaria and Anemone x fulgens in fall where they are hardy in the ground; in cooler regions, plant in early spring. In warmer climates, some gardeners soak tubers for a few hours before planting.

Plant tubers scarred side up (look for depressed scar left by base of last year’s stem), setting them 1–2 in. deep and 8–12 in. apart in rich, light, well-drained loam. Or start in flats of damp sand; set out in garden when stems area few inches tall. Keep soil moist during growth and bloom. Protect from birds until leaves toughen. In high-rainfall areas, excess moisture induces rot.

Tuberous types are best treated as annuals in rainy-summer or warm-winter climates, where they tend to be short lived. Tuberous anemones make good container plants.

Anemone coronaria

Grows from a tuber. Species is rarely seen in gardens; it has been replaced by showy large-flowered hybrids valued for cutting and for spectacular spring color in borders or mass plantings. Blossoms are 1 1/2- 2 1/2 in. across, borne singly on 6–18-in. stems above finely divided leaves.