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Anemones are a combination of tenderness, beauty and grace. These flowers grow equally well in the forest and in the garden. But if ordinary anemones grow in the wild, then hybrid varieties are most often found in flower beds. And like all hybrids, anemones require special care and a bit of care and attention. In this article, you will learn when to plant anemones, how to care for them, what these delicate flowers love and dislike.
There is an opinion among gardeners that the anemone – the second name of the anemone – is very picky. Actually it is not. Growing them is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.
Perhaps it is difficult to find more unassuming flowers than anemones. Planting and care in the open field will not cause you any particular difficulties. It is only important to know the features of growing the variety of flowers that you are going to plant in your flower garden.
Anemone Features
Thanks to the work of breeders, there are currently just over 20 hybrid varieties of anemones. And they all differ not only in appearance and color of flowers, but also in structure, degree of frost resistance, planting and care requirements. Despite this diversity, all hybrid varieties combine the following growing conditions:
- Anemones prefer partial shade to bright sun;
- Anemones do not like drafts and piercing winds;
- They are very critical to moisture and soil composition.
The root system of anemones is of two types – tuberous and rhizome. Therefore, the rules for caring for them are different.
Rhizome perennials are not picky and, if recommendations for care and cultivation are not followed, react only with a short flowering period or loss of color brightness.
But tuberous anemones, when grown in open ground, are very critical to the violation of any conditions of detention. And most often, non-compliance with simple rules leads to the death of the entire plant.
All types of anemones are united by a weak root system. Both tubers and rhizomes have low resistance to root rot.
Site selection and soil preparation for planting
Depending on the variety, the requirements of the anemone for the composition of the soil, humidity and lighting level are strikingly different. Before planting, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the information on growing and caring for anemones in the open field, focusing on the perennial variety, its preferences and conditions of detention. Be sure to consider the climatic conditions of your region and the frost resistance of the plant.
However, with all the variety, all anemones grow well under the following universal conditions:
- Loose, fertile soil;
- Mandatory drainage;
- Moderate watering;
- Penumbra.
Comply with these rules for planting and caring for flowers is required for all types of anemones. This is especially important if you do not know what kind of anemone you are going to plant on your site.
Anemone sissies are very critical to the composition of the soil. Before planting in the ground, it is necessary to add sand, which will improve the structure of the soil. Due to the presence of sand, the earth will become loose, it will pass air and moisture well. Excess water will not linger in such soil, which will protect the roots from decay.
Before planting anemones in open ground, it is necessary to lay drainage at the bottom of the planting pit – a small layer of small pebbles or broken bricks. It will perform the same function as sand – to protect the soil from waterlogging.
Too acidic soil is harmful to anemones. Before growing anemones, add a small amount of dolomite flour or charcoal to the soil.
Peculiarities of growing
Anemones fit perfectly into any composition of landscape design. These tender, herbaceous plants are ideal for outdoor cultivation.
Anemones, like other perennials, are propagated in three ways:
- seeds;
- Tubers;
- By dividing the bush.
And each of them has its own rules and secrets. Anemone seeds are rarely planted. Most often, gardeners prefer to propagate flowers by tubers or by dividing rhizomes.
Growing anemones from seeds
Many flower growers note that growing anemones from seeds in the open field is a complex and painstaking process. After all, even freshly harvested seeds do not have good germination. Subject to all the rules of planting and care, the germination rate barely reaches 25%.
The peculiarity of growing anemones from seeds is that the planting material must be subjected to mandatory stratification before planting. When sowing in autumn, the seed does not need to be kept at low temperatures. But when sowing anemone seeds in the spring, stratification is required.
Vegetative reproduction
Due to the ease and simplicity of cultivation, propagation of anemones by rhizomes or tubers is preferable. In this case, the plant does not waste precious time on the formation and growth of the root system.
Division of rhizomes
This event is best done in the spring. As soon as the earth thaws, you can begin to divide the bush of herbaceous plants and plant them in open ground. During this period, the plant has not yet “woke up” and will calmly endure the procedure.
Carefully dig out the bush with a pitchfork, being careful not to damage the delicate roots. Clear the rhizome from the ground.
Cut the roots with a clean, sharp knife. When dividing, pay attention that at least 3-4 renewal buds are located on each separated root.
Growing anemones from tubers
Growing anemone from tubers is a bit more difficult than growing from rhizomes. Nevertheless, this method is also popular with flower growers.
Anemone tubers are planted in open ground in spring. But before planting, they must be processed. This is due to the special storage conditions of tubers. As you can see in the photo, they are stored in a dried form.
Planting material must be carefully examined. Tubers affected by fungi, mold or damaged tubers must be removed immediately. Soak the selected material in warm water for several hours or overnight. During this time, the anemone tubers will swell and increase in size. By soaking, you will significantly speed up the germination process.
Rules of landing
The rules for planting anemones in the ground are simple and straightforward. Flower growers recommend immediately identifying them to a permanent place before planting. Transplantation of flowers of tuberous varieties is poorly tolerated. Rhizomes are unpretentious in this respect and can be safely transplanted without fear of harming them.
Anemones tolerate a spring transplant better than an autumn one.
When planting seeds, it should be borne in mind that the planting depth should not exceed 3-5 cm. Those sprouts that can still hatch are very weak and will not be able to break through too thick a layer of earth.
When pre-winter sowing of herbaceous plants in open ground, the first shoots will appear only in early spring. If the anemone seeds were sown in spring or summer, then it is necessary to wait for the first sprouts to appear no earlier than in a month. Young plants at the initial stage of growth need to be provided with proper care:
- it is impossible to overmoisten the plantings, so as not to cause the death of the plant from rotting of the roots;
- protect fragile shoots from drafts and bright sun.
When planting rhizomatous and tuberous varieties, the following rules should be followed:
- in moist, loose soil at a distance of 35-40 cm, dig planting holes 15-18 cm deep;
- lay a drainage layer at the bottom of the hole – small pebbles, fragments of brick;
- pour a small, 3-5 cm high layer of sand;
- carefully place the tubers or root on it;
- cover with earth and level the area. When planting an anemone, it is important to remember that you should not deepen the planting material much. A layer of soil of 5-7 cm will be enough.
- Lightly moisten the soil.
Now it all depends on the subsequent care of the plantings.
What care do anemones need?
The main requirement that must be strictly observed when caring for anemones is strict control of soil moisture. Excess moisture, as well as lack, has a detrimental effect on the state of the root system.
To avoid problems with waterlogging of the soil, you need to plant anemones on a hill and be sure to take care of drainage when planting.
So that herbaceous plants for open ground do not experience a constant lack of moisture, experienced flower growers are advised to mulch plantings. From spring to late autumn, the thickness of the mulch layer should be 5-7 cm. When preparing anemones for winter, it is advisable to increase the mulch layer to 12-15 cm.
As mulch, you can use dry fallen leaves of fruit trees, peat or special decorative mulching mixtures. It will perfectly not only maintain the ideal balance of soil moisture, but also prevent the active growth of weeds.
In central Our Country, you can additionally cover the flower garden with spruce branches. In regions with a harsh climate, you will have to take care of the safety of the anemone more thoroughly. Rhizomes or tubers are dug up, dried and sent for storage in a dark, cool room with an air temperature of no more than + 3 ° C + 5 ° C until spring.
It is recommended to fertilize anemones with mineral top dressing in the fall, and in the budding phase and during the flowering period, you can add organic matter in liquid form. The only thing to avoid at this point of care is the use of fresh manure. If, during the planting process, you have already taken care of fertilizers and fertilized the soil, then this event can be postponed to the next season.
Subject to these rules of care, it will not be difficult to grow and create ideal conditions for anemones of any variety.
The author of the video will tell you about what rules you need to follow when planting an anemone in the open field:
Growing anemones at home
Anemones are picturesque, brightly flowering herbaceous plants for open ground. But in addition to flower beds, they can decorate window sills, balconies and glazed loggias.
It is best to choose undersized varieties for growing at home. As a rule, they are less picky about care. The St Bridget Mix variety is excellent for this purpose, combining beauty, a riot of colors, unpretentiousness and duration of flowering. Anemones of this variety begin to bloom in early summer, flowering ends only with the advent of autumn. The plant height of this variety is 40-50 cm, which is perfect for growing in pots, containers and small containers.
There is no particular hassle when growing anemones at home. The heat-loving plant easily takes root, grows well and blooms profusely for a long time.
It is best to germinate anemones from seeds at home in special containers for growing seedlings. Seeds germinate 3-4 weeks after sowing. As soon as the young seedlings grow up, they need to be transplanted into containers or pots, given that they grow quite well. For example, no more than 20-25 young plants can be transplanted into a pot with a diameter of 5-6 cm.
When growing anemone at home, do not forget about her preferences:
- when transplanting into flower pots, be sure to pour a drainage layer;
- the earth should be loose and neutral acidity;
- sufficient lighting, but direct sunlight should be avoided on plantings;
- moderate watering.
During the season, more than 150 flowers will bloom in this small pot – the anemone blooms so luxuriantly and violently.
You can grow anemones from corms at home. The Dekaen variety has gained particular popularity among flower growers. It is perfect for growing anemones in pots at home and in a flower garden. Plants of this variety are distinguished by their resistance and endurance, and, on top of that, they are extraordinarily beautiful during the flowering period. Tubers germinate 2-2,5 weeks after planting.
Watering anemones after planting is not necessary too often. Many flower growers even advise to withstand them for 1-2 weeks in the ground without watering. But, nevertheless, it is not worth the risk, water the plants at least once a week. During the period of active growth of green mass and during the flowering period, anemones should be watered more often – at least 2-3 times a week.
Caring for anemones growing at home is not burdensome. All that is required of you is the observance of the microclimate. Spraying flowers is not recommended – signs of fungal diseases immediately appear on the leaves and flowers. Anemones bloom at an air temperature of + 15˚С. The room in which flowers grow must be dry. Stale air is very harmful for these sissies – ventilate the room where they grow more often.
For lush flowering, flower growers recommend plucking flower heads immediately after withering, so that the plant directs all its forces to the formation of new buds. This applies to both growing anemones at home and in the open field.
In late August – early September, when the flowering period comes to an end and the first signs of wilting appear, corms are dug out of pots, dried and planted in the garden in the ground.
As you can see, caring for anemones is not so troublesome. All that is required of you is to follow the recommendations of gardeners. And you will receive gratitude in the form of bright, beautiful flowers.
Conclusion
Blooming anemone sometimes resembles a young, modest beauty. The heads of the flowers are slightly tilted, and the bewitching beauty and palette of shades pleases the eye. And, despite the myths about the complexity of its cultivation, it is increasingly winning the hearts of flower growers.