Anemone, whose name comes from the Greek word for wind, is a cheerful, poppy-like flower that sways gracefully on slender stems and brings a wild, meadow-inspired charm to the spring garden. Her petals are satiny and almost iridescent, surrounding a striking dark center that makes even a single stem look intentional and beautiful. Anemone bloom in rich jewel tones of red, purple, pink, and white, and her simple, open-faced flowers are as lovely in a vase as they are nodding in the breeze outdoors.
A Wildflower Spirit with a Polished Presence
What we love most about Anemone is her dual personality. Plant her in a naturalized drift beneath deciduous trees or in a meadow-style border and she looks effortlessly wild and free. Arrange her in a simple bud vase on the kitchen table and she looks every bit as refined as any florist flower. She bridges the gap beautifully between formal and informal garden styles, and she is a natural companion for Ranunculus, Tulips, and the lacy foliage of spring perennials.
Anemone is a particularly wonderful choice for the cutting garden. Her stems lengthen beautifully after cutting and her flowers continue to open over several days in the vase. Harvest when buds are showing color but not yet fully open, and change the water every couple of days to extend enjoyment. Pollinators absolutely adore her open, pollen-rich flowers, so expect bees and butterflies to be frequent visitors from the moment she begins to bloom.
In the garden bed, Anemone varies in size depending on the variety, typically reaching 10–24 inches in height, making her ideal for planting in the foreground of a border where her blooms can be appreciated up close without obscuring taller companions behind her. Plant her in generous drifts for the most impactful display, and enjoy the way she carries color through the garden from early spring through late spring.
Planting and Care
Watch our step-by-step planting tutorial below, then follow along with the written guide for all the details.
Like Ranunculus, Anemone corms benefit from a pre-planting soak. Place the dry corms in room-temperature water for 4–6 hours before planting to rehydrate them and encourage quick rooting. The corms can be tricky to orient because they are flat and irregular in shape, so if you are unsure which side is up, plant them on their sides or at a slight angle and they will find their way.
Choose a spot in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil. Anemone do not tolerate waterlogged conditions, so if your soil is heavy clay, amend generously with compost before planting. Plant corms 2–3 inches deep and 3–6 inches apart with a teaspoon of Heirloom™ Bone Meal mixed into the bottom of the hole.
In zones 7–9, plant corms in fall for early to mid-spring blooms. In cooler climates (zones 4–6), plant in spring after the last frost for summer flowers, or start corms indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost. In zones 4–6, lift and dry corms after foliage dies back each year and replant the following spring.
Water after planting and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Once blooms appear, a light application of Founders Fish Fertilizer, a low-nitrogen liquid feed, every two to three weeks will encourage a longer, more prolific bloom season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming, and allow the foliage to die back naturally after bloom time so the corm can replenish its energy stores for the following season.
In warmer zones, corms can be left in the ground year-round. In cooler areas, lift corms after foliage dies back, allow them to dry thoroughly, and store in a cool, dark, dry location until replanting the following season.
Three favorites for us this season are: Levante Mix, a brilliant medley of red, white, purple, and pink that captures all the wild beauty of a spring meadow in a single planting; Mistral Rarity, a delicate and unusual blush-white with a hint of lavender that is simply impossible to find elsewhere; and Levante Vinato, a deep, rich wine-red with a dark center that is as dramatic and beautiful as any cut flower we grow.