This guide covers the fall/spring-planted garden anemones grown from tubers – the De Caen and St. Brigid type “windflowers,” sold as dormant tubers or “anemone bulbs.” It does not cover Japanese anemone, a different, rhizome-spreading perennial with its own distinct care.
Tuber or bulb?
Garden anemones grow from small, knobbly tubers, though they’re almost always sold and searched for as “anemone bulbs.” Either term is fine in conversation – just know that what you’re planting is a tuber, not a true bulb.
Soaking before planting
Soak the tubers overnight in cool water before planting. This rehydrates them and helps kick-start root growth after their dry, dormant storage.
Planting depth and spacing
Plant tubers about 5cm (2in) deep and 15cm (6in) apart, in light, sandy, well-drained soil. A sunny, sheltered spot – such as the base of a south-facing wall – suits them well.
Planting season
There are two planting windows: September to November for the earliest flowers, or February to April for a later spring display. Which you choose depends on your climate and how early you want blooms.
Sun and drainage
Full sun to light shade, and drainage that never leaves the tubers sitting in wet soil – anemone tubers are prone to rotting in damp, airless ground, especially while dormant.
Watering
Water during active growth, but hold back sharply once the foliage starts to die down – the tubers must be kept dry during dormancy or they will rot.
Containers
Garden anemones grow well in pots. A container makes it easy to move them to a sheltered spot after flowering, away from excess rain and hard frost.
After flowering and dividing
Once flowering finishes and the foliage dies back, let the plant go fully dormant and dry. Established clumps can be propagated by dividing the tubers while they’re dormant in summer.
A safety note
All parts of the anemone plant are toxic, and the sap can irritate skin. Handle with care, wash hands after planting or dividing, and keep away from children and pets.
Quick questions
Do I need to soak anemone tubers before planting? Yes – an overnight soak in cool water before planting is standard practice and helps rehydrate them.
Is this the same as Japanese anemone? No. Japanese anemone is a taller, rhizome-spreading perennial that blooms in late summer/autumn and is grown quite differently – it is not covered by this guide.
Why did my anemone tubers rot? Almost always excess moisture during dormancy or planting in heavy, poorly-drained soil – dry dormancy and sharp drainage are the two most important factors.
Related guides
For the equipment that makes propagating easier (heat mats, humidity domes, rooting hormone), see our propagation equipment guide.
