Description of plants
These perennials come from the buttercup family and grow in nature in almost all climatic zones. There are about 170 species in the world, mostly growing wild in the cold climate zone. Grow in nature on mountain slopes.
Additional Information! Flowers, called anemone, are very sensitive to gusts of wind, their petals always rise up in the wind.
The leaves are usually complex, serrated, but there are also single ones. The main decorative value of anemones is their flowers – usually white, pink or blue, as well as in shades of red, purple and yellow.
They bloom in spring, summer and even autumn, and are a wonderful decoration for home gardens.
Varieties are varied. Oak anemone is a herbaceous plant up to 25 cm high. It is characterized by single flowers with oval petals. Bushy Japanese anemones exceed 1 m in height with many flowers up to 7 cm in diameter.
Depending on the species, anemones have very different root systems. Spring most often grow from rhizomes, summer – from tubers, and autumn – the largest, have fibrous roots.
Anemones care and planting
Among the anemones we can find both plants for planting in semi-shady places, and plants growing in full sun. Most species (with the exception of anemone multiflora) prefer shady places, and thrive in constantly moist soils. Well, if it is a shaded place or partial shade.
Anemones: soil requirements
They do not need very fertile soil. The best substrate is permeable, humus and moderately moist soil. Tall summer-autumn anemones should be planted in places protected from the wind.
Planting anemones
Usually creeping plants require large spaces. Anemones are most often planted in spring (especially varieties that bloom from August to October) or autumn spring varieties. Before planting, the tubers should be soaked in warm water for several hours.
Additional Information! When planting, it is important to maintain the correct distance between individual plants. Planted to a depth of 5 cm. Approximately 20 cm apart. Later flowering plants are planted at a distance of about 40-50 cm.
The earth should be thoroughly weeded, supplemented with compost or other organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizers will provide the plant with optimal conditions for growth.
Note! After planting, the bed should be covered with mulch to protect the soil from moisture loss and at the same time limit the growth of weeds, which are serious competitors to flowers, especially smaller ones. Mulch will also protect frost-sensitive species in winter.
Every 2-3 years, most anemone varieties need to be dug up, the bulbs or rhizomes removed, and replanted after flowering is complete and the leaves have dried.
Watering and feeding anemones
Garden anemones do not require much care, they need protection from frost for the first two years. Watering is necessary at the time of planting and during drought, and a light fertilizer at the beginning of planting. And besides, it is better to let the anemones grow quietly.
In the first year after planting, anemones require intensive watering, which determines the growth rate of their roots. In subsequent seasons, watering can be limited only during the period of drought, especially perennial. When the flowers fade and the bulbs go dormant, they are not watered at all, regardless of the prevailing weather conditions. Fertilization is not required, but it can greatly support flowering.
Anemone breeding
Reproduction depends on the species. Some spring anemones reproduce by self-seeding. They can also be propagated by division after they have faded. Separate autumn-blooming anemones in spring. Each individual seedling should have a piece of root and a growth shoot.
Additional Information! They are placed in a mixture of peat and sand and wait for the first leaves to appear. The rooting process usually takes about a month. Ready-made seedlings of anemone can also be bought at gardening centers.
Protecting anemones before winter
Tree anemones do not require any shelter for the winter. Multi-flowered anemones are also resistant. However, most species need protection with a thick layer of leaves, pine needles or peat. It is especially necessary to protect species that bloom in autumn, which have much less time to prepare for frost. Mulching should be done already in October, before the onset of cold weather.
Pests and diseases
Regardless of the species, anemones quite often become victims of aphids and snails, which are worth fighting with by spraying with ecological plant protection products. There is also a risk of fungal diseases on the leaves, which should be protected from by regularly removing weeds and maintaining the humidity in the flower bed at an optimal level (without waterlogging).
Types of anemones for growing in the garden
Anemones are beautiful blooming flowers. The variety of types makes them suitable for any style. Colorful and delicate, they will change the look of many flowerbeds in spring, summer and autumn. They are planted under the crowns of deciduous trees and shrubs.
An early flowering anemone that blooms from spring to mid-summer.
- The multi-flowered selection produces a peduncle about 50 cm long in April and June. A large white flower, very decorative, develops at the top of the shoot.
- Wood anemone is a ground cover plant, a popular species in gardens. Height does not exceed 20 cm. Flowering occurs from March to May. Flowers, depending on the variety, may be full or solitary, in shades of pink, white or blue,
- Coronary anemone is a spectacular, but rare plant in household plots. It is difficult to grow, it is sensitive to low temperatures, large flowers of various colors appear in spring.
- Anemone Greek grows up to 10-15 cm. It blooms in early spring with stunning blue flowers that last up to 2 months. Sensitive to difficult weather conditions, therefore, requires winter shelter.
- Narcissus anemone is another less popular species. It grows to a height of more than 50 cm. In spring it blooms with white flowers. Unlike most anemones, it prefers sunny or semi-shady places. Does best in acidic soil.
In autumn, the flowerbeds are dominated by hybrid anemones, Japanese garden anemones and cobweb anemones.
- Japanese anemone is one of the most beautiful and at the same time the most popular species of this plant. It is a perennial that grows up to 1 meter in height. Begins to bloom in July. The flowers are large, pink, remain on the plant until autumn.
- Spider web anemones bloom in late August with beautiful lilac-pink flowers. The leaves on the underside are covered with dense downy pubescence. They reach up to 120 cm in height. They also need to be covered for the winter.
- Anemone hybrid – can reach up to 1.5 meters in height. The flowers are very abundant, white or pink.
Hobbyist gardeners can choose from numerous species that will showcase their colorful and varied flowers in spring, summer or fall.
