Anemone coronaria double Admiral

Anemone coronaria Double 'Admiral' is a very beautiful variety of florist's anemone, with intensely double, pompom-like flowers and a dazzling colour, belonging to the St Brigid series. Dominating a beautiful shiny green foliage, its large captivating flowers display a superb old pink colour tinged with fuchsia, enhanced by an almost black slate blue centre. This compact variety flowers generously from late winter, and throughout spring, bringing life to sunny or semi-shaded flower beds and containers with well-drained soil before going dormant.

An erect bulbous perennial plant, Anemone coronaria is native to the Mediterranean basin and Western Asia. It is very easy to grow and quite hardy.  It can ideally be placed in full sun, although it also thrives in partial shade where its vibrant colours will shine! From the tuberous stump of this Double Admiral Anemone, one or more slightly hairy flower stems, 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10in) long, emerge, each ending in a very double flower measuring 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) in diameter, under which three long and narrow leaves form a serrated collar. Its basal foliage, in a rosette shape, is deciduous. It consists of dark green, deeply cut leaves, measuring 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6in) long. From March to April-May, the flowers are a remarkable warm pink colour tinged with fuchsia with a dark stamen crown. The color of the petals tends to fade towards the end of flowering. Once faded, the flower produces fruits in achenes and can therefore naturalise in the garden. Then the plant disappears, but will reappear in the following spring if the soil remains dry enough in winter, for about 5 years.

Anemones are quite easy to establish, they require minimal maintenance, a sunny or partially shaded position suits them, as well as a light and well-drained soil. They can be planted in a flower bed, a rock garden, in borders, flower beds or mixed borders. They are also cultivated in pots and planters on the patio, balcony or window sill. They can be associated with other perennial plants (Potentilla 'Gibson's Scarlet', Aruncus dioicus 'Kneiffii', Lupin 'Gallery Red', Astilbe arendsii 'Fanal', lobelia speciosa 'Fan Burgundy'), tulip bulbs, daffodils, narcissus, rock plants, as well as small-growing shrubs (Weigela Dwarf Red 'Courtanin', Japanese Quince speciosa 'Hot Fire', Buddleia 'White Chip').

Anemone coronaria is the most common among florists, due to its excellent cut flower longevity, its aesthetics and attractive colours. So take advantage of the brilliant flowering of this Anemone 'Bicolor' to create multicoloured bouquets, picking the flowers when they are barely open!