While resembling Poppies, Poppy Anemones will last much longer in your garden. They come in a variety of colors ranging from blue to red to white. Like Poppies they have strong stems and black centers.
The ‘De Caen’ Poppy Anemones come in purple, pink, red or white. The flowers are single petaled and the leaves are frilly. If you prefer lavender as a color try the ‘Sylphide’ variety or use ‘Hollandia’ for a splash of red.
‘St. Bridig’ Poppy Anemones are more elaborate and decorative. ‘Mt. Everest’ is a beautiful white that looks very elegant in any garden.
Places to Plant
Poppy Anemones are reminiscent of wildflowers. Hence, they look very naturally randomly scattered amongst a meadow, lawn, or flower garden.
Because Poppy Anemones are so colorful plant them in a container and place them in an area on your patio that needs some color. Or put the container near your front door for a rainbow welcome.
Poppy Anemones make great cut flowers so plant them in an area with easy access for cutting. Also in you plant a few every week during spring you will have consistent color throughout the summer.
Poppy Anemone bulbs can be left in the ground in zones 8-10 so try planting the bulbs amongst a rock garden. The bright colors will spruce up the garden.
Planting Buddies
Try planting Poppy Anemones with Asiatic Lilies. The dark blue of ‘Mr. Fokker’ Poppy Anemones will go very well with the Lilies.
Mix the Poppy Anemone variety ‘The Bride’ with silver Dusty Miller and white Verbena. This will give you a clean pure looking white flower garden.
Gladiolus go very well with Poppy Anemones. The spiking rigidity of the Gladiolus goes very well with the free open form of the Poppy Anemone. Try blending bold blue ‘Lord Lieutentant’ Anemones with pink or purple Gladioli. This will create an old English cottage look to your garden.
Purchasing and Planting
Buy tubers that are large and firm in early fall. Do not purchase smaller sized tubers. Avoid tubers with mildew, mold or unusual spots.
Soak your tubers overnight in some warm water. Plant your Poppy Anemones in the fall in zones 8-10 and in the spring in zones 5-7. Dig a hole about 5 inches deep and mix in some bone meal. Add lime if your soil is acidic. Push your tubers sideways 2 inches into the soil about 3 inches apart. Water well and cover with a few inches of mulch.
If you live in a zone colder than zone 8 remove your tubers before the first frost in the fall. Store your Poppy Anemones in a dry frost-free place over the winter.
For the best effect plant Poppy Anemones in groups. Try placing about 10 bulbs together. This will create a brightly colored cheerful display.
Growing Tips
Poppy Anemone’s love partial shade or full sun. In hotter zones plant your tubers in partial shade. The soil must be well-drained. For clay soils add sand and compost to loosen the soil so it will drain.
If the air does not circulate well around the flowers you may end up with powdery mildew. This disease looks like white dust and brown spots on leaves. Control with a fungicide.
Seasonal Care
In early fall in zones 2-7 lift and store you tubers. Make sure they stay dry throughout the winter. In fall in zones 8-10 plant your Poppy Anemone tubers before the first frost if you want them to flower in the spring. For summer blooming plant tubers in late spring.
Quick Facts
Poppy Anemones flower in spring or early summer. They are farily resistant to disease and easy to care for. Poppy Anemones make great cut flowers. They can be grown in all zones and like full sun in cooler zones and partial shade in warm zones. Soil must be well drained to avoid rot. Poppy Anemones will spread out about 4 inches and grow to 18 inches high.