Anemones – Delicate Windflowers in the Garden

Anemones keep the garden in bloom all season long! With 150 species of windflowers, there is almost always one in bloom. This diverse flower enhances any garden.

The name Anemone comes from the Greek word for wind. Even the slightest breeze sets its delicate flowers in motion, which is why it is also known as windflower. With its abundant blooms, this plant is in season almost all year round.

If you want your garden to bloom all season long, anemones are the perfect choice. When the weather is mild, the well-known Balkan anemone begins to bloom as early as February. While other gardens are still dormant, an anemone garden awakens in shades of white, blue, or pink. The Balkan anemone is one of the smaller species, reaching a height of 10 to 15 centimeters. Shortly after, wood anemones begin to bloom. Their flowers are small and often white, with some varieties displaying delicate pink or pale blue hues. These little anemones create flower carpets under trees and shrubs or in other shady areas, brightening the late winter landscape.

In summer, garden anemones take center stage, blooming in June in a vibrant display. Also known as poppy anemones, they are prized as cut flowers thanks to their beautiful blooms in a wide range of colors, including deep shades of blue and violet. From August to October, autumn anemones follow, ensuring that even in the darker months, your garden remains a sea of color.

Anemones are especially popular because they thrive even in shady areas of the garden. While many flowering plants rely on sunlight, anemones can transform dark corners into beautiful, colorful spaces. They bring vibrancy to shade gardens and bloom reliably for years.

Aside from well-drained, nutrient-rich soil and cutting back dead plant parts just above the ground, hardy anemone varieties require little maintenance. Even beginners will find them easy to grow. With minimal care, their rhizomes continue to expand, creating ever larger and more abundant blooms. In no time, anemones brighten areas under deciduous trees, along walls, or beside garden sheds with their delicate flowers.

Anemones are planted in either autumn or spring, depending on their blooming period. Plant the tubers about 5 to 10 centimeters deep in moist, humus-rich soil. Early-blooming species should be planted as early as September or October, while autumn anemones are best planted in spring. The earlier the tubers are in the ground, the better they withstand winter. If planted later, a light winter covering is recommended.

Non-hardy varieties always require protection, either with a layer of brushwood and leaves or by overwintering their rhizomes indoors. For overwintering, dig up the rhizomes in autumn. Large tubers can be divided and stored in a dark, frost-free, and dry place until the next planting season.