Anemone is a flower of the winds. And it's hard to argue with that. Anemone (lat. Anemone) or “anemone” - a perennial plant belonging to the ranunculaceae family. In this genus of plants, there are more than 100 species that conditionally differ in flowering time. The name is associated with the Greek word "anemos" ("wind"). Probably, its origin is associated with the sensitivity of the plant to the wind: at the slightest gusts, large petals tremble, while the flowers sway on long peduncles. Anemone - a flower with a bright color, which varies among different species. The flowers are radially symmetrical bisexual. Flowering, depending on the species, can begin in early spring, even before the leaves appear on the trees, and lasts until mid-autumn.
For growing in gardens, wild and cultivated species are used. Particularly popular among gardeners are Japanese anemone and gentle anemone.
Japanese anemone is a late summer flower. It is characterized by juicy green dissected leaves. The stems are dense, the flowers are cup-shaped and very delicate in various shades (white, pink, beige, brown). The center of each of the flowers is golden. The leaves are slightly rounded or oval, the flowers are framed by small leaves (curls). Japanese anemones effectively and originally decorate the garden in late summer, when many flowers are already fading. In landscape design, they are planted near tall plants that change their color by autumn. Anemones are perfectly combined with autumn leaves of bushes. They also grow well among garden flowers blooming in the autumn months (gladioli, asters, chrysanthemum verbena, and others).
Tender anemone begins to bloom in early May. Stems up to 20 cm high end with a "daisy" - a single basket inflorescence. The bush is elegant and airy. The flowers are blue-violet, varieties with different colors (pink with a white center, white, blue) are bred.
Anemone Care
Growing most types of anemones is not particularly difficult and is quite accessible for gardeners. Special care requires anemones with a tuberous rhizome, as well as a crown anemone. For the winter they need to be carefully sheltered. Tubers must be dug up after the growing season.
Anemone is a photophilous flower, although it can grow in partial shade. All anemones need loose, fertile soils. Planting must be mulched in the spring. For these purposes, humus, compost, loose peat are suitable. It is advisable to mulch the leaves with foliage, which is present in the natural places of growth of anemone (forest).
The plant needs to provide moist soil. Good drainage is required. It is necessary to maintain the moisture of the earth under anemones even after the stems have dried. After flowering, it is necessary to cut the stems to ground level, leaves at the roots are left until the next season.
Anemone grows quite quickly. It is advisable to plant anemones in the middle of the season. The division of autumn species must be carried out in the fall after completion of flowering plants. At the same time, seating is not excluded during the flowering period, and even at its beginning. However, when transplanted in the spring, further growth and flowering may be delayed. Providing regular watering after planting, the plant easily survives.
Anemone seed propagation is a complex process that requires a lot of effort. Germination of anemone seeds is low (5-25%). It is possible to sow in the ground before winter or, after cold stratification, in spring. Seedlings, while ensuring constant hydration, develop well and bloom after 2 years.
Pests that are dangerous to the plant are caterpillars, slugs, fungal diseases that occur during strong growth. For treatment, sometimes it is enough to pour a little sea salt and sand into the soil.
When working with anemones, care must be taken, since their juice can cause skin irritation.