They're definitely hardy in zone 9.

My soil is a clay loam which has had regular additions of compost and grit. Occasionally I add gypsum or dolomite, or lime powder as my soil is naturally acidic.

For me, Anemones do best in full sun with the 'bulbs' producing many flowering stalks over a long flowering season if the weather is mild, not baking hot. Mid August to late October at least (Southern Hemisphere).

I have some planted in part shade and they have produced flowers, though on leggy stalks which might be better for picking.

Occasionally seed sprouts for me (usually in a pot containing something I treasure!) and grows on to flower.

I leave the bulbs in the ground all year. As they get older they develop a shape that looks nothing like the tidy little bulblets you've just bought. Sometimes they separate. The bits still flower the following year.

I find the singles do better for me than the double forms. They seem to last longer and don't look quite as draggled after rain.

One thing I have found useful is to keep them free of monstering leaves from other plants or weeds. They do better for me with plenty of air circulation as well as lots of sun.

I also give my older plants a side dressing of slow-release granules while they are in full leaf so they can go to dormancy well-fed.

In zone 6 I suspect you will need to be careful about winter drainage and frost protection; or plant into big pots and use them as spring accents; or be prepared to treat them as annuals if your soil is inclined to be spring-soggy.

I love the red and white ones, but next year I plan to get some of the all-white 'The Bride' for a scheme I have in mind.

Daisy,

I'm in a very different zone 6 from you, but here, they are "borderline" hardy--which means they come back only if we have a mild winter. However, Callas do the same here, so you might give the anemones a try in that area. It sounds like you have a good z7 microclimate.

Here on the East Coast, I have very soggy spring soil with a long freeze-thaw cycle. That's what does in most marginally hardy things. If your springs are drier and/or your soil drains well, you've got a better chance. But mulch, mulch, mulch and think of it as an experiment, if you choose to keep the them. I buy mine in the spring and grow them as summer annuals.

Amanda

Thanks so much for the info!

We have very wet springs here also and also have the freeze-thaw cycle through January and Feb.

Maybe I'll plant some and try my luck. I'm very confused why they would sell in the fall to plant if they aren't hardy in many places?

I would put them in pots but I can't grow things in pots to save my life... I always forget to water them.

THank you SO MUCH for answering!

I love these but understand that they are only winter hardy zone 8-10. They recommend you keep them at cool 60 degree temps inside until after the hard freezes of your winter.
Then, you can plant them in the ground.

I'd try some in pots but be sure to give them a good soak until they about double in size (overnight) then keep the soil damp but don't allow them to sit in really wet soil very long.

cynthia

I've never tried the doubles, but I planted some single Anemones and they came back for about 3 years. They probably would still be coming back but I dug up the bed they were in and was unable to find most of the bulbs so they got tilled in.

Probably your best bet is to keep them inside overwinter and plant them in the spring. Next year leave them in the ground over the winter with mulch and see if they come back.

I took a chace last year in my 'almost' zone 6 garden and planted blue and white single poppy anenomies. They all came up this spring. And I planted more this spring (pinks and purples this time) because they are so lovely. Time will tell if they keep coming back. A lot may depend on how mild or severe the winters are. I am in love with these flowers and will continue to plant the corms in early spring if the others don't come back.

This post is 16 years old.???