The Characteristics of Anemones

Garden Cultivation

• Most anemone species produce flowers throughout the year. The most common anemone cultivated in gardens is the poppy anemone (Anemone coronaria), which is known for its poppy-like blossoms and leaves that look like parsley. Its flowers bloom in different colors -- the most common include scarlet, white, crimson, blue and purple. Another garden anemone, anemone hupehensis, is usually grown as an autumn flower. It can grow as tall as 39 inches and blooms for several weeks.

Anemone Care

• Anemone bulbs are usually planted around October, which will bloom in May and June of the next year. The species thrives in loamy soil enriched with fertilizers, such as animal manure. When the leaves have ripened, it is best to take the plant in a dry room until planting time.

  Different anemone types require different levels of sunshine. Some require to be planted in gardens without any shade, while some need constant shade to bloom properly. Most anemones may not survive if constantly exposed to the sun's rays and installing a canopy to partially shade the plants may be needed during hot weather. Once the plants bloom, harvesting flowers should be done in early morning to minimize the stress that it may cause to the plant.

Pests and Diseases

• Anemones are prone to cutworms, one of the most common plant parasites found in gardens. Other diseases that commonly affect anemones include crown gall, leaf curl, southern blight and powdery mildew. Removing and cutting the affected parts of the plant is the most common way to resolve these problems, while fungal diseases require an antifungal spray.

Varieties

• Anemones can be classified into three main varieties: spring flowering varieties, tubers and large fall-flowering varieties. The spring flowering varieties are either rhizomes or tubers. Rhizomes are stem-like parts commonly found on the roots of the plant, which creates shoots and roots during cultivation. Tubers, on the other hand, are plant structures that store energy and nutrients for future use. Tubers can be stems or roots, depending on the plant. Anemones have root tubers, which can be easily planted during spring. The large fall flowering varieties do not produce any rhizome or tuber, but instead have fibrous roots.