Anemone Care Must-Knows
Perennial anemones are easy to grow, and once established, they can create large colonies of plants for grand displays. Anemones are spread by underground rhizomes that multiply readily; in some cases, they can be almost aggressive spreaders. However, their shallow roots make them easy to dig up. For best results, plant anemones in well-drained soils rich in organic matter. The extra organic matter keeps consistent moisture in the soil. Many spring-blooming anemones are ephemeral, meaning the foliage will die back in summer, and plants will go dormant. This can happen quickly if the soil is allowed to dry too much or too often. Keeping the soil evenly moist is also essential for fall bloomers because the foliage can dry up and leaf edges brown and crisp, especially in warm Southern climates. Planting anemones that are perennials in part sun protects foliage from drying out too much, but don’t plant fall-blooming varieties in too much shade. Otherwise, plants become leggy and flop. More shade than necessary also reduces the number of flowers. Anemones don’t require much maintenance to display spectacular blooms. While not necessary, you can divide anemones in spring as plants emerge. In shadier plantings, keep an eye out for powdery mildew, which can be a mild nuisance.
More Varieties of Anemone
Double windflower
Anemone nemorosa ‘Bracteata Pleniflora’ is showier than the wild type because its flowers have extra petals. Like the wild form, it grows less than 1 foot tall. Zones 4-8
‘Honorine Jobert’ anemone
Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ is 3-4 feet tall and covered with 2-inch-wide pure-white single blooms. It spreads less rapidly than other varieties.
‘Queen Charlotte’ anemone
Anemone x hybrida ‘Queen Charlotte’ offers wonderful, semidouble pale mauve flowers on 3-foot-tall plants. Zones 4-8
‘September Charm’ Japanese anemone
Anemone hupehensis ‘September Charm’ is a Japanese type with single pink flowers in late summer and early fall. Zones 4-8
Snowdrop anemone
Anemone sylvestris is a spring bloomer that may repeat in fall. The fragrant white flowers emerge from 18-inch-tall upright stems. It tolerates full shade, spreads by rhizomes, and can become invasive in loamy soils. Zones 4-9
Windflower
Anemone nemorosa is an early-spring bloomer with 1-inch white blooms. Plants go dormant in summer but carpet large areas of woodland in spring. Zones 4-8
‘Whirlwind’ anemone
Anemone x hybrida ‘Whirlwind’ is one of the largest hybrid anemones. It grows 3-5 feet tall and has large, semidouble white blooms. Zones 4-8
Anemone Companion Plants
Turtlehead
This native perennial gets its name from the shape of its unusual flowers, which resemble the heads of snapping turtles. It’s a good choice for heavy, wet soils and spreads to form dense colonies of upright stems bearing pink, rose, or white flowers from late summer into fall. It grows best in some shade, but tolerates full sun with adequate moisture.
Culver’s Root
Culver’s root is imposing and elegant, with vertical spires of whitish blue flowers against dark foliage. Planted in full sun in humus-rich soil that remains moist, they may reach a whopping 7 feet tall; where the soil is drier, they stay a little more compact.
Hepatica
These diminutive wildflowers set bowl-shaped white, lavender, purple, or pink blooms. They get their name from the evergreen three-part leaves shaped somewhat reminiscent of the human liver—pointed or rounded on their ends and often with a deep purple cast. The plants grow in deep leaf litter in deciduous woodlands in the wild. Liverleaf is excellent in shady rock gardens or woodlands where the soil is rich with humus.
title: “Anemone” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-13” author: “Jack Floyd”
You can also grow anemones in containers. If you’re in an area where the containers won’t freeze solid over winter, you can leave them outdoors. Otherwise plant the pots in fall, move them to a garage or shed, and then bring them out as temperatures warm in spring. Whether in containers or the landscape, anemones have daisylike blossoms that complement the cup-shape flowers of crocus. And blue-purple Greek anemone puts on a vibrant show when planted alongside orange or yellow pansies.
Caring For Anemone
Plant anemone bulbs in early fall as soil temperatures begin to cool. You can continue planting through the autumn, right up until the soil freezes and you can’t get a shovel in the ground. Anemones are easygoing when it comes to soil, but they reward you with best performance if planted in areas that are moist, well-drained, and rich in organic matter. If your soil has a high clay content, amend liberally at planting time with organic matter like peat moss, compost, or coconut coir. Anemones bloom most profusely in full sun (at least six hours of direct sun per day) but tolerate part shade well. Because they go dormant in early summer after leafing out, they’re ideal for beds and borders beneath deciduous trees, such as oaks and maples. You only have to worry about them getting enough sun until the foliage starts to turn yellow. Don’t plant fall-blooming varieties in too much shade or plants can become leggy and flop. More shade than necessary also reduces the number of flowers. (And no one wants that.) Easy-care anemones are deer- and rabbit-resistant, making them an excellent choice for woodland areas and other places frequented by these four-legged creatures. When anemone bulbs are happy, they reproduce quickly—forming beautiful clusters that add a carpet of springtime color to the yard. While not necessary, you can divide anemone clumps in spring as plants emerge. In shadier plantings, keep an eye out for powdery mildew, which can be a mild nuisance.
