Introducing...
Specialist anemones
These anemones are small, delicate plants that need carefully controlled growing conditions. Many must be kept dry in summer while they’re dormant, so are best kept in a greenhouse over summer. There’s also a group of woodland anemones that like rich soil that doesn’t dry out, so are usually grown in pots in a coldframe.
Looks
White, pink, purple, blue or yellow, cup-shaped or starry flowers open virtually flat, sometimes to reveal delicate veining on the petals.
Likes
These plants like plenty of sun and good drainage. In containers, the compost should have added grit or sharp sand to aid drainage. Some need a dry spell in summer.
Dislikes
They dislike wet soil that doesn’t drain freely, and won’t flower in shade. Protect plants from summer rainfall unless they are naturally woodlanders.
Did you know?
You can protect the plants from freezing in winter by plunging containers up to their rims into a bed of sand.
Anemones we recommend
Anemone × lipsiensis 'Pallida'
windflower 'Pallida'
- Up to 10cm
- 0–0.1 metre
Anemone obtusiloba
round-leaved anemone
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Anemone × lipsiensis 'Pallida'
windflower 'Pallida'
- Up to 10cm
- 0–0.1 metre
Anemone obtusiloba
round-leaved anemone
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Useful advice
Coldframes and mini-greenhouses
Greenhouse: ventilation and shading
Rock gardening
Rock gardens: plants
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.