Anemone is a perennial plant with tuber belonging to the family of Ranunculaceae. There are 120 species, some spring-flowering and some fall-flowering, in a rich color palette. The Anemone, whose aerial seeds are carried very far by the wind, is nicknamed the Daughter of the Wind. Full of delicacy and charm, it is easy to grow, and no one can resist the romantic note it brings to the garden. Let’s see together how to plant but also maintain anemones to enjoy their beautiful blooms for as long as possible.
Plant the Anemone
Anemones are planted in early spring or autumn (preferably in spring in regions with harsh and long winters), respecting the following points:
- Prepare the soil so that it is loose to a depth of 30 cm.
- Make holes and place a handful of starter fertilizer or horn shavings at the bottom.
- Soak the tubers in lukewarm water for a dozen hours just before putting them in the ground.
- Place one tuber per planting hole between 4 and 10 cm deep.
- Respect the planting distances recommended according to the species.
- Plug the holes and water.
You can buy the potted anemones plants. In this case, once the planting is finished, it is necessary to water them copiously. For a plantation a pot, we choose a container that is shallower than wide and absolutely pierced. A drainage layer must be placed at the bottom and then covered with a draining compost.
It is also possible to opt for the seedlings of anemones, to be carried out during the summer. This is for example the case of the Forest Anemone. It is very important to harvest the seeds as soon as they are detached but also to sow them as soon as they are harvested because they must be very fresh to germinate. If you opt for sowing, you have to be patient because the first flowering will only appear after three years.
Note that it is strongly recommended to choose their location carefully because it is preferable that it be permanent, the anemones resenting being moved once they are well rooted.
Cultivate Anemone
Among the essential species, we can cite for example theJapanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis var. japonica) to create pretty bouquets that hold well in a vase, Coronary Anemone or crowned anemone (Coronary anemone) sublime on a lawn or theCanada anemone (Anemone canadensis), perfect for wet areas. Also interesting, the Wild Swan which is covered from the month of May until November with white flowers with purplish reverses. As for theforest anemone (Anemone sylvestris) or Wild Anemone, whose white flowers bloom in May and June, it likes rich calcareous soils and light shade.
Name of cultivars adorn our gardens today. Note for example theCaen anemone also called Florists’ Anemone which is a cultivar of the Coronary Anemone. Because of their incredible vigor, these plants with suckering foliage take on an astonishing scale from year to year, forming sumptuous carpet of flowers. The good idea is to combine several varieties for a spectacular effect.
Anemones are highly sought after because in addition to being beautiful they are all rustic, some of which can withstand down to -20°C. They like them cool soils most well drained et humus (but not too rich all the same). Depending on the case, they appreciate shaded, semi-shaded to sunny exposures.
No matter what species we cultivate, the tall or low anemones are unavoidable and although of an apparent delicacy, they reveal very resistant as long as they are installed in the right place. It is therefore up to everyone to find out beforehand at the time of purchase about the particular needs in terms of exposure, soil and maintenance according to the variety chosen.
Caring for the Anemone
Simple to live with, the Anemone – whatever the species or variety – is suitable for all gardeners, even beginners.
Water
We water regularly in summer, when it is hot and dry, anemones in the ground. Those grown in pots need regular watering during the summer season, but above all without excess. Once the flowering period is over, the spring anemones then in vegetative rest do not need to be watered if it rains from time to time. We just have to be careful to avoid drying out the substrate.
Fertiliser
Pot anemones appreciate a bulb plant fertilizer to be diluted in the irrigation water, at the rate of fertilization every two weeks, between mid-March and the end of May. This promotes their flowering.
As for those grown in the ground, they do not need to be fertilized, with the exception of the Japanese Anemone cultivar which, once flowering is finished, must receive a supply of mature compost.
Mulch
Mulching is useful for protecting anemones in the ground during their first winter but turns out to be superfluous thereafter. Those in pots or planters being more susceptible to severe frosts are to be protected each winter with pozzolan (volcanic rock) or any other mineral mulch.
Pests and diseases
Anemones are rarely attacked by parasites and very less susceptible to disease, as long as they are grown in good conditions. As is the case for countless plants, we avoid wetting their foliage when watering, and we are moderate in terms of irrigation because excess water promotes fungal diseases.
Flowering anemones
Of course, care is taken to cut the faded flowers as they go along in order to encourage new flowering. To take full advantage of the splendor of anemones, do not hesitate to cultivate different species, which makes it possible to create a painting with shimmering colors. Generally, due to their small size, spring-flowering anemones are used in rock gardens, the edges of paths, heavily treed areas, but they are also suitable for container or planter culture. This is among others the case of theGreek anemone (Anemone mix). The so-called autumn anemones, generally of big sizeproducing flowers until frost, are preferably planted in beds near Phloxes, Dahlias, Cosmos.