Anemone gets its name from “anemos”, the greek word for wind. It is sometimes called the windflower and the botanical name is pronounced a-NEM-o-nee.
Description
These perennial flowers have long stems and petals that flower in a variety of
colours. The petals are small and round and most flower heads have about five
or six petals.
Habitat
Anemones grow wild in countries as diverse as Israel, Japan and Britain, and
the flowers will grow well in any loamy soil, particularly when slightly acidic
and enriched with compost.
Availability
Planting in October will typically provide flowers in May and June of the
following year. Anemones are grown commercially all over the world and can be
grown cheaply from bulb or seed.
Species
Anemone species are members of the Ranunculaceae family. Estimations vary on
the exact number of known species, but it is certainly in excess of 150, with
popular varieties including Snowdrop Anemone (Anemone sylvestris), Japanese
Anemone (Anemone hupehensis) and Greek anemone (Anemone blanda).
Care Tips
When growing anemones from bulbs, always soak them overnight in a small bowl of
water to prepare them for growth. If growing in outdoor beds, give your
anemones direct sun for anything from half to a full day, and plant in 1-2 inch
holes. Anemones can also grow successfully in tubs, barrels and urns if placed
in good quality soil with adequate drainage holes.
Did You Know?
- Legend has it that the Greek goddess Aphrodite’s tears gave life to anemones as she wept in mourning for the death of the god Adonis. Anemones are linked with anticipation, and are thought to close their petals as a signal that rain is coming.
- Some myths claim that magic fairies make their beds under the petals of anemones after sunset.
Source: http://www.flowers.org.uk
