Anemones are very robust and forgive mistakes in care. However, the anemone does not forgive mistakes when watering so quickly. Caution is advised here.
Once the anemone was more common in the woods. Today, the attractive plants have long since found their way into our gardens. There they convince with abundance of flowers and colors. The anemones, which occur in around 150 species, offer both a first dash of color in the still dreary garden and an atmospheric firework display of colors to round off the gardening year. Below you can read about what needs to be considered when caring for anemones.
✿ Watering anemones
When cultivating the easy-care plants, special attention should be paid to watering. Even if the robust anemone is forgiving of some care mistakes, it doesn't tolerate either drought or waterlogging.
» Tip: The sunnier the location, the higher the moisture requirement.
It is therefore important to water moderately but regularly. If the plant is in partial shade, the watering should be less, but should not be missed if the drought persists.
» Tip: The anemone loves to be watered with the shower.
Watering anemones in keywords:
- water regularly
- Drought is not tolerated
- Waterlogging is not tolerated
- Water more frequently in a sunny location
✿ Fertilize anemone
Fertilization of the anemone concentrates on the flowering period. It is advisable to use horn shavings or another organic long-term fertilizer. If you want to plant perennial plants in the ground in spring, you can start preparing the soil in autumn.
If the location for spring planting has already been determined in autumn, the hobby gardener can do the preparatory work. A layer of foliage is spread out at the chosen location. Over the winter, humus will form at the later planting site. In spring, the soil is enriched with compost immediately before planting or supplied with an organic long-term fertilizer.
Fertilize anemone in keywords:
- during theUse slow release fertilizer
- Enrich soil with compost
- Leaf layer in autumn stimulates humus formation
✿ Cutting anemones
The hobby gardener should be careful not to cut back the plants. There are several reasons for this. The early flowering varieties are capable of self-seeding. If you want to save yourself the propagation of anemones and want new plants, you should not remove the flowers early.
In contrast, autumn-flowering varieties usually do not self-seed. By cutting back the faded stalks, the plants are encouraged to bloom again. The leaves, on the other hand, should remain on the plant for as long as possible. Only yellowed leaves should be cut off. The plants obtain nutrients from the leaves through the leaves until late autumn, which are stored in the roots and ensure the strength for rich flowering in the following year.
» Tip: Cutting back the leaves prematurely will result in flowering laziness in the following year.
✿ Winter anemone
Most species are hardy and no additional measures are necessary.
» Tip: Leave the foliage on young plants. This provides extra winter protection.
In older plants, the petioles are cut off about a hand's width above the plant. Plants can be protected from severe frosts by a layer of leaves or straw. Light watering can be done on frost-free days.
A few species are vulnerable to frost. This includes the garden anemone, the tubers of which should be dug up in autumn and overwintered indoors in a dry and frost-free place.
There is also a risk of frost for anemones cultivated in tubs. The planter can quickly freeze through at low temperatures. This can be remedied by placing the plant pot on a base made of wood or styrofoam. In severe winters, the plant pot is better stored in a frost-free place in the house.
✿ Dividing and multiplying anemones
Propagation can be left to the plants themselves with many early flowering anemones. If the flowers are not removed, the plants will self-seed. The hobby gardener can also use various methods to help and provide his garden with anemones.
Propagate tubers by division
Propagation by rhizomes is preferably carried out in autumn. The small ones on the main tuber are called rhizomesreferred to as side nodules. Sufficiently developed plants are a prerequisite for this type of propagation.- Carefully dig up the side bulbs
- Separate the side bulbs from the main bulb
- Keep an eye on the direction of growth
- Insert secondary tuber at desired location
- Keep direction of growth
- Close planting hole
- Water the plant
- Attach winter protection
Be careful when digging up the side bulbs. A sharp cutting tool should be used to separate the main bulb. Sharp edges damage the plant less than frayed cut edges, which do not grow together well and are an entry point for bacteria and pests.
Since the planting takes place before winter, the planting hole should be covered with brushwood or leaves.
» Tip: The tubers do not have to be planted directly in the ground in autumn. Dry hibernation in straw or sawdust is also possible.
Propagating perennial plants by division2
While bulbous plants self-seed. This is rarely the case with perennial plants. Autumn anemones must therefore be propagated in a targeted manner. Cultivation from seeds is theoretically possible, but time-consuming and therefore rarely practiced.
Propagation by division is common:
- Expose Roots
- Share Roots
- Remove root piece that is easier to remove
- Replant root piece
- Water the section well
- Cultivation like mother plant
Whereas the plant is completely removed from the ground with conventional division, this is not possible with the autumn anemone, because it forms taproots that reach deep into the ground. The roots are therefore only largely exposed. A division should be made every three to four years. This is important for the plants, otherwise a rather stunted growth with correspondingly sparse flowering will result.
✿ Recognize diseases and pests on the anemone
Anemones are hardy plants and rarely affected by disease. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the he alth of the plants.
If the plant isn't growing normally and the leaves are beginning to wilt, check the soil. Waterlogging is a great danger for anemones. If the plants are too wet for a long period of time, the roots will begin to rot. The only thing that helps here is a quick change of location.
In a too condensedSpecies that form taproots cannot spread sufficiently in soil. If there is not enough space left, the plant will also begin to wither. The division described above helps here.
What diseases can occur?
Feeding tracks of caterpillars
If you can see holes in the leaves, the caterpillars of various moths were at work. Here it helps to collect the caterpillars directly or to work with a suitable pesticide.
Anemone Rust
The disease can be recognized by the browning of the leaves. The affected leaves must be cut off immediately and do not belong in the compost.
Leaflets
These pests cause yellow leaf spot. Leaves should also be removed here. Transplanting the anemone may be necessary.
Anemone Cupling
The fungus feeds on the roots of plants. The filamentous cells reach deep into the soil. Suitable fungicides can help.
✿ Overview of care tips
| Activity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Casting | Watering should not be neglected. Neither persistent drought nor waterlogging are tolerated. A sunny location requires frequent watering. |
| Fertilize | During the flowering period, an organic slow-release fertilizer should be applied. Compost or horn shavings are preferable. |
| Cut | Removing faded flowers regularly encourages reblooming. The leaves should only be removed after they have turned yellow, otherwise the plants will lack nutrients in the following year and will not flower. |
| Wintering | Most species are largely hardy. Anemone species that are not hardy must be dug up and overwintered in a dry and frost-free place. Anemones cultivated in tubs should at best overwinter in a frost-free place. |
| Division | Anemones with taproots should be divided every three to four years. Otherwise the plant would wither. |