Anemone coronaria The Governor

Who doesn't know Anemone coronaria, with its slightly old-fashioned charm, and its pretty flowers with a black heart, in a range of vibrant colours, ranging from purple to white, through pink and red? Here it is brought up to date with Anemone coronaria The Governor, with its double scarlet flowers, with a white centre and black heart, highlighting the graphic aspect of its flower! Planted en masse, it will ignite the garden, the patio or balcony, with its generous and charming spring flowering!

A bulbous perennial plant, Anemone coronaria is native to the Mediterranean basin to Western Asia. Very easy to grow and quite hardy, it will ideally be placed in the sun, although it also thrives in partial shade where its shimmering colours will work wonders! From the tuberous stump of this Anemone The Governor, one or more hairy flower stems rise, 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) in height, each ending in a double flower with a diameter of 6 cm (2in), under which three long, narrow leaves form a toothed collar. Its basal foliage, in a rosette, is deciduous. It consists of dark green leaves, deeply incised, measuring 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6in) in length. From April to May, the flowers, of a remarkable bright red, white at the base of the petals, and with a heart adorned with a crown of black stamens, appear. The colour of the petals tends to fade towards the end of the flowering period. Once faded, the flower produces achenes and can thus naturalise itself in the garden. Afterwards, the plant dies, but will reappear in the following spring, and this for about 5 years in a row.

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!