Soil
Average to gritty garden soil with excellent drainage.
Position
Full sun in spring, sun to partial shade in summer.
Frost tolerant
Varies. Dainty white wood anemones are hardy to -20F (-30C), as are ‘Grecian’ anemones classified as A. blanda. Large-flowered florists anemones (A. coronaria) are hardy only to 0F (-18C) and are often grown as annuals.
Feeding
Topdress with rich compost in spring, when new growth appears. Fertilize large-flowered anemones in early summer using a liquid feed
Companions
Daylily. Use large-flowered anemones as feature plants in the summer garden. Hardy spring-blooming anemones are ideal companions for tulips.
Spacing
Single Plants: 5″ (15cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 5″ (15cm) with 5″ (15cm) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Soak the hard roots in water overnight before planting. Set out dormant roots in fall where they are hardy, or in early spring, planting them 3 inches (8 cm) deep. Plant in groups of three or more.
Notes
Wood anemones thrive when grown in soil rich with leaf mold. They naturalize beautifully in hospitable climates.
Harvesting
Cut anemones to use in arrangements just as the blossoms open. As the flowers fade in the garden, trim them off with scissors or pruning shears.
Troubleshooting
Watch plants for problems with aphids or whiteflies, which can multiply rapidly. When caught early both pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap.
