How to Grow
Anemone

Anemones grow best in well-drained soil. Anemone coronaria (also called poppy anemone or garden anemone) thrive in full sun. Anemone blanda (winter windflower) will grow in sun or partial shade, while Anemone nemorosa (wood anemone) do best in a humus-rich soil in partial shade and are ideal for woodland planting.

1. Before planting your anemone bulbs, soak them in lukewarm water for 3-4 hours to rehydrate them.
2. If your soil is heavy, dig in a good garden compost and some horticultural grit. This will help your soil drain well in winter and also retain moisture in dry summer months.
3. Anemone nemorosa likes a moist, well drained humus-rich soil, so add leaf mould if you have an available supply.
4. Plant Anemone nemorosa bulbs flat, about 2cm deep and 8cm apart.
5. Plant Anemone blanda 8cm deep and 8cm apart. With these bulbs it’s difficult to tell which way is up, so just plant them and don’t worry – they will work out which way to grow.
6. Anemone coronaria bulbs are tender, but in mild areas they can be planted in the ground in mid-spring for summer flowers. Plant the bulbs 10cm deep and 10cm apart with the knobbly side upwards, and water in.

1. Soak the bulbs overnight in lukewarm water
2. Plant Anemone nemorosa and Anemone blanda 5cm deep, 10cm apart in loam-based compost mixed with leaf mould or composted bark.
3. Water well and place in a sunny spot. Place the pots on pot feet to stop them becoming waterlogged in winter.
4. Plant Anemone coronaria 5cm deep, 10cm apart in containers filled with multipurpose potting compost mixed with horticultural grit. Water the containers and place them in a frost-free place over winter. Keep the compost just moist. Once all risk of frost is past, move the pots to a sunny spot.

1. Water as required but make sure the soil is moist and not wet to avoid rotting.
2. Feed every couple of weeks with high potash feed.
3. After the flowering period is over, leave the foliage to collect sunlight and strengthen for
next season.
4. Once this has yellowed, remove old foliage, and cut back to the ground prior to new growth
in the following year.
5. If you want to divide your anemones, wait until their dormant period after they have
finished flowering in summer.

Anemones can be tasty treat for slugs and caterpillars whose larvae feed on roots, stems and leaves. Pick off caterpillars by hand or use slug repellants.

They can also be susceptible to powdery mildews, especially Anemone blanda and nemorosa if grown in shade in areas with poor air circulation. Watch for a white powdery dusting on leaves and pick off any affected leaves.