- Anemone perennials are mostly hardy
- Tuber anemones are rarely hardy
- Overwinter anemone bulbs frost-free
- tips and tricks
Anemones are at home in the Near East and southern Europe. Most varieties do not tolerate sub-zero temperatures. The information about the winter hardiness of anemones is sometimes quite contradictory. However, you can assume that most perennials are hardy, while most tubers are not.
Anemone perennials are mostly hardy
Autumn anemones sometimes grow in the same place for many years. Older plants are absolutely hardy and tolerate sub-zero temperatures.
In the first year after planting, the anemones are not that robust. Better give them some winter protection. This also applies to perennials that you planted at the best planting time in spring. Well suited as covering material are:
- dry foliage
- straw
- tree pruning
- Do not use softwood
Never cover the anemones with fir branches. The falling needles acidify the soil too much.
Tuber anemones are rarely hardy
In the vast majority of cases, anemones that bloom in spring are grown from tubers. The packaging often states that the onions are hardy.
Don't rely on that. At very low temperatures, the tubers freeze. This applies above all to the noble varieties of anemones, the anemone coronaria. Their tubers must always be overwintered frost-free.
Always plant bulbous anemones in early spring. They will then bloom a little later, but will not suffer from the cold.
Overwinter anemone bulbs frost-free
Anemone bulbs should be pulled out of the ground in autumn, just like gladioli bulbs. Let them dry, remove the remaining soil and overwinter in a dry, dark place with no risk of frost.
If your garden and especially the location of your anemones is very sheltered, it may be sufficient to protect the planting sites of the tuber anemones from frost with a dense cover of leaves.
Remove the mulch in early spring to allow the first rays of the sun to warm the soil and encourage the bulbs to sprout.
tips and tricks
If you don't know if your anemones are hardy, you should dig them up in the fall and hibernate indoors to be on the safe side. Test hardiness by leaving some of the tubers or perennials in the garden and seeing if they sprout again next year.