Growing Anemones in the South

Anemones are a beloved spring bloomer, prized for their jewel-toned flowers, frilly foliage, and long-lasting stems. While they’re often associated with cooler climates, they can thrive in warmer regions, like much of the southern U.S., with a few adjustments and attention to detail. At Hedgehog Flower Farm, we’ve found that while anemones don’t respond to pre-sprouting the way ranunculus do, there are still steps you can take to give them the best start in the garden.

Understanding Your Anemones

Anemones grow from round corms, which are similar to bulbs or tubers. These storage organs contain all the energy a plant needs to grow strong roots, stems, and blooms. In warm climates, timing and planting conditions are critical, but with proper preparation, you can enjoy a vibrant season of flowers.

Before planting, you can store corms in a cool, dark, and dry location. They keep very well under these conditions, which is especially helpful if you need to wait for the ideal planting window.

Preparing Your Corms

Even though pre-sprouting is a common practice for ranunculus, we’ve found that anemones don’t benefit as much from this extra step. That said, giving your corms a short soak before planting is still very helpful. Submerge them in cool, fresh water for about four hours. If you have an aeration pump (like one used in aquariums), it can slightly speed things up, but it’s not essential.

If you want to experiment with pre-sprouting, you can do so, but it’s optional: fill a seed tray or cells with a moist, but not soggy, mix of seed starting soil and perlite. Keep the tray in a cool place, such as a fridge, for two to three weeks. Mist the soil occasionally to keep it from drying out, and you’ll start to see roots emerge. After this period, the corms can be planted in your prepared garden bed or container.

Planting in Warm Climates

In the South, planting in a partially shaded area is ideal, especially in hot regions like Florida. In slightly cooler areas, full sun is usually fine. Space your anemone corms 7–9 inches apart and cover them with 2–3 inches of well-prepared soil in either a bed or container.

Watering is a delicate balance. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, which can cause the corms to rot. In our experience, anemones will not need additional watering until you see green growth emerging. If the soil dries out completely before the corms have sprouted, growth can be stunted or fail entirely.

Supporting Growth & Harvesting

Expect blooms roughly 90 days after planting, though timing can vary slightly depending on your microclimate. To encourage straighter, longer stems for cutting, consider providing your anemone plants with light support. Continually harvesting flowers as they open will also promote additional blooms throughout the season, giving you a long-lasting display of color in the garden or cutting area.

Final Thoughts

Growing anemones in the South requires attention to soil, timing, and moisture, but it’s incredibly rewarding. While pre-sprouting isn’t as critical as it is for ranunculus, a few simple preparation steps, soaking corms, planting in well-drained soil, and careful watering, ensure a strong, colorful season of blooms. With patience and care, even gardeners in warm climates can enjoy the vibrant, jewel-like beauty of anemones right in their own gardens.

Looking to grow your own Anemones?

We offer a number of varieties here at Hedgehog Flower Farm to choose from and some of our warm climate favorites have included Full Star Red and White, Galilee Pastel Mix as well as Rainbow Blue and White.
Also, check out some of the bundles we have to offer where you can grow up to two or more types of anemones alongside ranunculus for a spring blooming fest such as our Color Pops Bundle or our Katie's Favs Bundle. 

Quick Tips Reference for Southern Anemone Success

• Planting Time: Late October to early November in warm southern climates; adjust for your local zone.
• Corm Preparation: Soak in cool, fresh water for 4 hours before planting. Pre-sprouting is optional.
• Soil & Sun: Well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Partial shade is ideal in hot climates; full sun works in milder areas.
• Spacing & Depth: Plant corms 7–9 inches apart and cover with 2–3 inches of soil.
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Only water until green growth appears. Avoid letting the soil dry completely.
• Support: Provide light support for straighter stems, especially if harvesting for bouquets.
• Harvesting: Expect blooms in approximately 90 days. Cut flowers as they open to encourage additional blooms. Harvest in the cool hours of the morning and place stems in cold water. 
• End of Season: Allow foliage to die back naturally to nourish the corms for next season. Corms can be dug up and stored, disposed of or left to perennialize.