Anemone

Anemone coronaria

Plant Sciences 211, Fall 2010
North Dakota State University

Introduction

"Youth, like a thin anemone, displays

His silken leaf, and in a morn decays."

- Sir William Jones

The anemone flower, whose scientific name is Anemone coronaria, is also known as the Poppy Anemone or the windflower. Its name comes from the Greek word ánemos, meaning "wind." The name can refer both to the wind that helps blow the flowers open and the flower's fragility and susceptibility to wind. The anemone originated in the Mediterranean region and has important significance in Greek mythology. It is said that while Adonis, the lover of Aphrodite, was hunting one day, he was killed by a wild boar. Once Aphrodite reached her lover and found him dead, red anemones blossomed from the ground where her tears fell.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Ranunculales
Family	Ranunculaceae

Growing Conditions

Anemones are hardy in zones 7 and 8 if covered with mulch in the fall, and can be left uncovered year-round in zones 9, 10, and 11. In colder zones, the bulbs should be planted in the spring and harvested in the fall before frost occurs. Anemones are fairly drought-tolerant, but should be kept on a regular watering schedule. They require full sun to part sun and prefer moderately- to slightly-acidic soil that is light, sandy, and well-drained. Bulbs should be soaked in water before planting. They should be planted 5 inches deep at the base of the bulb, and spaced 1-2 inches apart, with 25-60 bulbs per sq. ft. Anemones are most often and successfully used in rock gardens, woodland gardens, flower beds, and borders.

Uses

Anemones are excellent cut flowers and are used as decorative flowers for a variety of occasions. While all species of anemone can be poisonous to both animals and humans, in smalls doses they can have beneficial medical side-effects. The flower and roots can be use to help eye and skin inflammation, menstrual pain, emotional distress, and respiratory problems.