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Anemone Flowers: How to Plant and Grow Windflowers | The Old Farmer's Almanac

Anemone

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Alexandra Glen/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Anemone spp.
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How to Plant and Grow Anemone Flowers

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Available in spring- and fall-blooming species, anemones are able to provide flowers throughout the growing season. These low-growing plants produce tall stems of bold flowers, making them suitable for a range of locations across the garden. Here’s how to plant, grow, and care for anemone flowers in your garden!

About Anemones

Anemones, also known as wind flowers, produce long-lasting blooms on reaching stems. Low maintenance, they are perfect for borders, containers, raised beds, and naturalized areas. There are over 200 species of anemones and they come in all shapes and sizes. In general, their foliage grows low to the ground and their flowers appear on thin stems poking out above the leaves.

Note: These fast-growing flowers are apt to spread and some species may be considered invasive. Check with local regulations before planting and keep the plants contained if you don’t wish for them to spread!

Planting

Choose a spot with well-draining soil that stays evenly moist. Add compost, leaf mold or aged manure to the soil before planting to improve texture and fertility, if necessary. Anemones don’t like to sit in wet soil (especially in winter), but they will appreciate some moisture during the hottest and driest months of the year.

Anemones will grow best in a location that is mostly sunny but that does receive a bit of shade, especially during the middle of the day. 

When to Plant Anemones

  • In warmer regions (Zones 7 to 9), plant anemones in the fall.
  • In cold climates (Zones 4 to 6), plant the tubers in early spring, as they will need to settle in before they can tolerate freezing temperatures. 

How to Plant Anemones

  • Soak the tubers overnight in tepid water before planting. This will help them get established sooner after planting.
  • Plant tubers 3 to 4 inches deep and space them 4 to 6 inches apart.
  • Water deeply after planting.
Growing
  • Anemones usually take at least one growing season to get established, blooming profusely in the following year.
  • Keep soil moist (especially in the warmer, drier part of the year), but don’t overwater. 
  • Add organic mulch around the plants to keep soil moist and suppress weeds.
  • Some of the taller, fall-blooming varieties may need staking.
  • Deadhead faded flowers to encourage more blooms.
  • Fertilize in early spring.
  • If you live in colder regions, tubers can be dug up in the fall and stored indoors over the winter. Dry the tubers before placing in a paper bag and storing in a well-ventilated area.
  • Divide anemones every 3 to 4 years.
Harvesting

Anemones as Cut Flowers

  • Anemones make for excellent cut flowers. Harvest the flowers in the early morning. 
  • Flowers should be harvested when they have just started to open. Petals should be just beginning to separate.
  • Change the water in the vase every 3 to 4 days.
  • Blooms will last up to 2 weeks.
Wit and Wisdom
  • Anemones belong to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae.
  • The genus name is derived from the Greek word anemos, meaning “wind.”
  • The petals close up at night and reopen in the morning.
  • In Irish and English folk tales, many believed that fairies would sleep within the petals as they closed up at night. 
Pests/Diseases

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