Anemone

Anemone Description

The name Anemone is derived from the Greek for wind flower. Anemones are a large and versatile group of perennial plants. The flower colours include yellow, pink, red, blue, and violet. The blooms are usually saucer-shaped and can be solitary or in clusters. Leaves have serrated edges and are usually mid to dark green in colour.

Anemones are classified into three main groups: spring flowering types with tubers and rhizomes growing in woodland and pasture.

Mediterranean tuberous types that flower in spring and summer; and larger perennials that bloom in summer and autumn.

Cultivation of Anemone Plants

Anemone tubers should be planted to a depth of 5cm and at a distance of 10 to 15cm apart. Plant the tubers in fertile soil that has good drainage.

Different varieties require different sites - some will thrive in full sun and others require part shade.

Plant in the autumn or the spring and mulch with well rotted manure or other organic matter for protection during the winter.

Seeds should be sown in containers in a cold frame when ripe. It should be noted that Anemone seed germination can be very slow and quite erratic.

When the top growth has died away in the late summer lift the tubers and separate. Plant the offsets.

Popular Varieties of Anemone

The following lists some popular varieties of Anemone.

Anemone Pests and Diseases

Anemone plants may suffer attack from caterpillars and cut worms. Flowers, buds, leaves and stems may all suffer. Some anemones are prone to rust.