Plant Guide: Anemone

Anemones form a large and highly varied group of plants, of which A. coronaria, A. blanda and A. nemorosa are the most widely cultivated.
A. coronaria has small, hard tubers; A. blanda has hard, knobbly tuberous roots; and A. nemorosa forms small, brittle, creeping rhizomes.

The flowers are often very colourful, sometimes daisy-like with numerous petals, and sometimes cup-shaped like poppies. Anemones generally flower in spring; A. coronaria can also flower in summer, depending on planting time. They make excellent cut flowers.

TYPES

A. coronaria

A. coronaria grows to 15–20 cm (6–8 in) tall and flowers in a wide range of vivid colours, including bright red, white, blue, purple, deep red and pink, with a black to very dark blue centre. The most popular varieties are the ‘Caen’ group, with single, poppy-like flowers, and ‘St Brigid’, with semi-double to double blooms. Both groups include numerous cultivars. Plants can be grown in single-colour blocks or sown as colourful mixtures, and are equally suitable for containers or borders.

A. blanda

This species, native to Greece and Turkey, has daisy-like flowers, usually blue, though white and pink forms are also available. It is one of the earliest spring-flowering plants, producing blooms on 15–25 cm (6–10 in) stems above finely divided, fern-like foliage. Many cultivars are now available, some sold as potted plants. It self-seeds readily and naturalises well beneath trees.

A. nemorosa

The wood anemone, A. nemorosa, prefers a cool, moist environment and is often planted in large drifts beneath deciduous trees, as it occurs naturally in the wild. Its star-shaped white (sometimes lavender-tinged) flowers, with a central cluster of golden-yellow stamens, provide a fine display in late spring and early summer. The mid-green foliage is deeply divided. Plants grow to 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and, in suitable conditions, spread rapidly to form a dense carpet.

GROWING CONDITIONS

Aspect

All anemones require shelter from strong winds. A. coronaria flowers best in full sun, while A. nemorosa prefers a lightly shaded position, with morning sun and afternoon shade. A. blanda occurs naturally in mountainous regions and grows well in full sun or partial shade.

Position

A. blanda and A. nemorosa perform well beneath deciduous trees or in rock gardens, while A. coronaria provides colour in beds and borders. Ensure free-draining soil, as tubers and roots will rot in wet conditions.
All anemone species prefer soil rich in organic matter, although A. blanda can grow in relatively poor soil provided drainage is good. About a month before planting, incorporate plenty of well-rotted compost or farmyard manure into the soil.

CULTIVATION

Planting

Plant tubers of A. coronaria 5 cm (2 in) deep and 10–15 cm (4–6 in) apart in September or October for spring flowering, or in March or April for summer flowering.
A. blanda and A. nemorosa should be planted early in autumn, 5–7.5 cm (2–3 in) deep and about 10 cm (4 in) apart. Take care not to damage the brittle roots. Soaking the tubers or rhizomes overnight in water will encourage earlier growth. After planting, mulch with leaf mould or bark chippings.

Feeding

After flowering, a general fertiliser may be applied, although this is unnecessary in reasonably fertile soil. Water generously during dry spells and keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged, once flower buds appear.

PROBLEMS

Mosaic virus can cause twisted stems and distorted leaves, eventually leading to the death of the plant. Watch out for aphids, which spread the virus.

FLOWERING

Season

A. coronaria flowers from late winter to mid-spring or early summer, depending on planting time. A. blanda blooms in early spring, while A. nemorosa flowers from mid-spring to early summer.

Cutting

A. coronaria is an excellent cut flower and should be cut rather than pulled. Flowers of A. blanda and A. nemorosa last only a few days in a vase, but look best left on the plant. If left uncut, the plants can also set seed and spread naturally.

AFTER FLOWERING

Care

Continue watering in dry weather until the foliage has died back. Remove spent flowers unless seed formation is desired.
Tubers of A. coronaria can be lifted once dry, cleaned and stored in a cool, airy place until the following autumn, or left in the ground if drainage is good. Other species are best left undisturbed to form large colonies. If lifting, dividing and replanting is necessary, do so in autumn.