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No Quibble GuaranteeHow to grow Anemone Leveillei
Often referred to as Windflowers, the word anemos is Greek for wind. Rhizomatous anemone have two main groups, coronaria and blanda and both are quite different.
Anemone blanda quickly creates a low, spreading carpet of attractive foliage under trees and shrubs or in a shady spot, ready to become enveloped by daisy-like blooms to around 25cm in height, in spring.
Anemone coronaria is a vibrant Mediterranean beauty known as the Florist Anemone. A herbaceous perennial producing poppy-like flowers over pretty foliage in late spring and early summer on tall stems up to 40cm.
Both are easy to grow, loved by pollinators, great for cutting and happy grown in borders and containers, given the right environment.
Key Information
Soil pH
Position
Hardiness
Where & when to plant Anemone
Anemone are best planted in autumn, into well-drained and fertile soil. If growing in containers use a good quality multi-purpose compost adding horticultural grit to aid drainage or organic matter.
Soak the corms for 2 to 4 hours before planting to encourage shooting and development of a good root system.
Young plants should be put into pots for 4-6 weeks where they will be robust enough to survive within beds and borders.
How to plant Anemone
Anemone blanda is a hardy cormous perennial that prefers a shady spot. It is not obvious which side is up, but it does not really matter, just plant around 8cm deep and apart. Anemone blanda grows best in well-drained, humus-rich soil in sun or part shade. They will self-sow naturally and are easy to propagate by seed but their rhizomes can easily be lifted, divided and replanted or potted on. They do not require pruning or deadheading.
Anemone coronaria require full sun and some winter protection, so grow in borders for a summer of colour, or in pots which could be sunk into the border while flowering then moved to a sheltered spot and kept dry over the coldest winter temperatures whilst dormant. Plant the corms with the knobbly side upwards and the smoother side downwards, about 5-10cm below the surface of the soil, about 20cm apart. Anemone coronaria grows best in a light, sandy soil in full sun. Anemone coronaria can be easily propagated by seed or by dividing the tubers during summer. Deadhead flowers as required to encourage more blooms.
What to plant with Anemone
Anemone blanda grow well with many early spring bulbs, Crocus and Snowdrops will poke through the carpet of foliage.
Anemone coronaria make such an impact when planted alone but look incredible when planted to weave through low-growing evergreen grasses.
How to care for Anemone
There are many different types of Anemones so it’s best to look at them individually.
Anemone hupehensis, hybrida and Anemone japonica will tolerate any garden soil but it’s best to avoid winter wet. Once planted try not to move them about as they are intolerant to transferals. They will spread as they mature so you can propagate them by division during early spring to help control numbers. After flowering, prune them back during late autumn.
Anemone blanda and nemorosa grows best in well-drained, humus-rich soil in sun or partial shade. They are easy to propagate by seed but their rhizomes can also be divided and potted on. This species requires no pruning.
Anemone coronaria grows best in a light, sandy soil in full sun. During winter you might need to provide protection if your area suffers from harsh frosts. Whilst dormant plants must remain dry. Coronaria can be easily propagated by seed or by dividing the tubers during summer.
How to propagate Urginea
Urginea are imposing plants, creating a dramatic statement when planted alone, creating quite an impressive clump when they have naturalised.
However, when grown amongst grasses or interspersed Allium they look incredible.
When choosing companion plants, think about the growing conditions that are preferred by each plant. Maybe grow Urginia maritima with Allium Forelock, Moly or Hair – the almost globe-like spheres of blooms will hover above the foliage but will have faded by the time the Urginea flowers have fully developed so will not detract from the spectacle.
Whether grown in borders or containers, the period when the foliage is absent could be filled with a low growing, evergreen carpet of Delosperma Suntropics Purple, Copper or Red, which become covered with bright almost neon coloured daisy-like flowers from spring until the first frosts.
