How to Grow Anemones

Unlike other flowers that produce a handful of blooms, anemones often produce twenty or more blooms throughout spring. Anemones are beautiful and versatile flowers known for their bright colors and long-lasting blooms. This guide will walk you through the steps for planting, caring for, and harvesting anemones, with specific tips on how to grow anemones in Arizona’s desert climate.

Article Index:

• When to Plant Anemones
• Planting Anemones
• Caring for Anemones: Watering, Sunlight, and Growth
• Harvesting Anemones: Timing is Everything
• Do Anemones Return Year after Year?
• Final Thoughts: How to Grow Anemones for Stunning Blooms

When to Plant Anemones

When you plant anemones depends on where you live:

In regions with mild winters (USDA zone 7 and above), plant corms in the fall and protect them with a low tunnel or frost cloth for overwintering. The best time to plant anemones in the low desert of Arizona is October and November.

In colder climates (USDA zone 6b and below), plant in late winter/early spring. Protect corms from temperatures below 25°F (−4°C), as freezing and thawing can cause them to rot.

Planting Anemones & Companion Plants

Anemones grow from small corms that look like tiny brown acorns. I get my anemone corms here. You can learn more about ordering bulbs for fall planting in this guide. Soak the corms in water for 3-4 hours (not longer!) before planting.

Choose a location with abundant sunshine. Anemones prefer soil rich in organic matter, so amend the soil with compost and worm castings before planting. Plant corms about 2 inches (5 cm) deep with the pointy end down. Space the corms at about 4 per square foot.

Anemones also grow well in containers. Use pots with good drainage and high-quality potting mix. Water more frequently than you would in the ground, but avoid waterlogged soil, which can cause rot.

Anemones can be planted with other cool-season flowers, such as ranunculus or poppies. They also pair well with early-blooming perennials and spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips.

How to Grow and Care for Anemones: Watering, Sunlight, and Growth

After planting, caring for anemones is simple. Keep the soil moist, but avoid waterlogged conditions, which can lead to rot. Anemones thrive in full sun to partial shade. Full sun is ideal throughout the winter and into spring. 

A week or two after planting, green sprouts emerge, followed by a carpet of foliage, and finally, blooms appear in spring. 

Pinch back the first stem that appears to encourage branching and more blooms. This will stimulate the plant to produce more flowers.

Harvesting Anemones: Timing is Everything

Knowing when to harvest anemones is crucial for maximizing their vase life. The best time to harvest anemones is when they first open, but because they open each morning and close in the evening, it’s hard to tell if the flowers have opened yet. The key is to observe the space between the collar (the frilly green leaves around the stem near the bloom) and the flower itself:

• If there’s no space, the flower is too young, and cutting it now will result in a bloom that doesn’t fully open.
• The perfect time to cut is when there’s ¼ to ½ inch (6 to 12 mm) of space between the collar and the bloom. This stage will give you over a week of vase life for your cut flowers.
• If there’s a large space between the collar and the flower, the bloom is more mature and will have a shorter vase life.

When harvesting, cut flowers down to the base of the plant to promote new blooms. Harvest anemone flowers in the morning. Flowers will last up to 10 days in the vase. Adding flower food keeps the blooms vibrant. 

Do Anemones Return Year after Year?

The answer to that question depends on where you live. In hot and cold climates, the corms don’t usually survive. They may return in some milder climates with well-draining soil and limited pests, but it’s best not to plan on it. 

Final Thoughts: How to Grow Anemones for Stunning Blooms

Whether gardening in a cooler region or learning how to grow anemones in Arizona, these flowers are easy to grow and beautiful. By following these simple steps for planting, caring for, and harvesting, you can enjoy vibrant blooms for months. 

Source:

• Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest & Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms, Erin Benzakein with Julie Chai.

Want to add more color to your garden with flowers?

Arizona annual flowers planting guide helps you learn when to plant flowers in Arizona, and whether to plant seeds or transplants.

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