How to Grow a Black & White Anemone Flower

Find a planting site where the poppy anemones will receive sunshine in the morning and shade in the afternoon or bright, dappled shade throughout the day. Plant them where they will be protected from strong wind.

Spread a 3- to 6-inch layer of organic soil amendments, such as compost, well-aged manure, leaf mold or peat, over the planting site. Adjust the depth of organic matter according to the current soil conditions, adding more for sandy soil and less for soil that is already high in organic matter. Where the soil is heavy clay, add perlite as well. Windflowers do not tolerate clay soil that drains slowly. Use a shovel or tiller to mix the organic matter thoroughly into the soil to a depth of 12 inches.

Plant the poppy anemone tubers in autumn. Dig the planting holes with a hand trowel to a depth of 2 to 3 inches and width of 6 inches. Space multiple poppy anemones 4 to 6 inches apart. Place the tubers in the planting holes and cover them with soil removed from the hole. Water the tubers to help settle the soil. Add more soil, if necessary, to level the surface. Spread 2 inches of organic mulch over the tubers.

Pull the mulch off the soil directly above the tubers in late winter. Water when the top of the soil begins to dry. Push the mulch back over the tubers after the poppy anemone stems emerge, but keep it slightly away from the stems.

Reduce watering to only once every one to two weeks after the poppy anemones finish blooming to allow the soil to dry between waterings. Cover the tubers with 2 inches mulch in late fall each year. Pull the mulch off in late winter. Spread a balanced, 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer on the soil above the root area in late winter or early spring before they send up new stems. Do not allow the fertilizer to touch fresh, new stems or foliage.

Divide the poppy anemones in the fall when clumps become too large for the site, the flowers produced in the spring are smaller than usual, or if they develop hollow centers or have sparse lower foliage. Lift the tubers from the soil with the tip of a shovel. Brush the soil off the tuber or spray it with a water hose. Use a sharp knife to cut the tuber into sections, each of which must contain a mature stem and a growth bud. Plant the divisions.