Aren't these beautiful? I bought some bulbs at Costco the other day. I planted them already but then read more about them and realized they're not going to do well over winter with the cold so I'm going to have to dig them up and store them inside until spring, but now I'm really excited to get to plant them then! If you can I suggest giving this flower a try!
At-A-Glance:
- Suitable Zones: 3–9
- Hardy Zones: 6–9
- Spacing: 2"
- Height: 8–10"
- Blooms: Summer (1st year); spring thereafter
- Ships as: Package of 15 bulbs
Full sun
Partial shade
Good for cutting
Deer resistant
About:
Anemone coronaria is in the Buttercup family and native to the Mediterranean. The St. Brigid group is a collective name for the double-flowered varieties, also known as poppy anemones. Ours is a colorful mix of red, white and violet double blooms in various shapes. They have strong stems and are long lasting in bouquets.
Planting:
Soak the tuberous bulbs in lukewarm water for 5-6 hours or overnight before planting. The bulbs will swell with water, which will give the roots a head start. It may be hard to tell which end is up on these irregular, flattened bulbs, so plant them sideways and the roots and shoots will find their way. St. Brigid anemones do best in moist, well-drained soil in a semi-shady spot, like under deciduous trees. If planted in full sun, provide plenty of moisture. They are most eye-catching when planted in groups of at least 5-10. Plant 2” deep and 2” apart; space a bit closer if planting in containers. Water well and mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds. To prolong the bloom period, plant bulbs in succession every couple of weeks.
Maintenance:
St. Brigid anemones are low maintenance. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong the bloom period. Anemones require a dormancy period after flowering, preferably with dry conditions. After blooming, slowly cut back on watering and allow foliage to die back, which usually happens by midsummer. Feed with an all purpose fertilizer in the spring when shoots appear.
Over-wintering:
St. Brigid anemones are hardy in USDA zones 6-9. Apply a layer of mulch in the fall for added protection. In colder zones, either treat the plants as annuals or dig up the bulbs for the winter. Allow to air dry in a cool, dry area for several days. Store in bags or boxes in peat, sand or vermiculite in a cool area.
Those are really pretty!
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