How to plant Anemone De Caen corms

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Saturday, 31 August 2019 at 10:14 am

Find out how to plant florist anemone (Anemone coronaria 'De Caen Group') corms, with the help of this three-step guide.

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With their beautiful blooms, Anemone coronaria 'De Caen Group' are one of the highlights of spring. They are known as florist anemones as they make wonderful cut flowers.

The claw-like corms can be planted in borders, but are ideal grown in large containers. You can enjoy several months of colour by planting the corms at different times – in April for June and July flowers, in June for September flowers, and in September and October for late winter and early spring blooms (they will need some protection over winter - a cold frame is ideal).

What to plant in September

Here's how to plant florist anemone corms.

You will need:

Anemone de Caen corms
Large pot
Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
Bucket of water
Horticultural grit

Step 1:

Soak the corms in tepid water overnight to rehydrate them and encourage root growth.

Soaking anemone De Caen corms — Soaking the anemone tubers

Step 2:

Plant about 8cm deep in pots or troughs of multipurpose compost. Space the corms 10-15cm apart.

Planting Anemone De Caen corms — Planting the anemone tubers

Step 3:

Mulch the surface with horticultural grit to stop weeds sprouting and to discourage mice and squirrels.

Mulching with grit — Mulching the compost with horticultural grit

What to do after flowering
After flowering, the tubers can be lifted and dried for replanting. Alternatively they may be left in the soil permanently, when they will flower annually in spring.