Anemone coronaria
The poppy anemone, the graceful flowers are simple and elegant, yet completely unique at the same time. The colours of the flowers are in a class of their own; white, pink, purple, bright blue and bright red. An amazing spectacle.
So, why is this plant called the anemone… ? We have found two statements that are both correct regarding the name.
A) The Arabic name for this plant is Shaqa’iq An-Nu’man which literally translated means ‘The Wounds of Nu’man’. It may refer to Nea’man, the Sumerian god of food and plants. In Greek culture, he was called Adonis and the Anemone played an important role in his rebirth.
B) ‘Anemos’ is the Greek word for wind, and ‘mone’ is a feminine addition. That makes it the daughter of the wind… because the flowers sway in the slightest movement of air.
Coronaria is derived from Corona, which means wreath. Where does the name Anemone coronaria come from? 
also with this question there are 3 possible answers to this name.
A) Because of the wreath of green leaves on the stem below the flower.
B) In ancient Greece, anemone wreaths were placed on the altar of Venus.
C) In the Middle Ages, a wreath of anemone flowers around the neck of a sick person was thought to have a healing effect.
Anemone coronaria all facts in a row
From the Ranunculaceae family
Native to the eastern Mediterranean.
Bulb/tuber plant
Moderately hardy
Flowering time April/May/June
Henri Matisse’s favourite flower
Anemones were the favourite flowers of famous French artist Henri Matisse. They star in many of his paintings. In an interview in 1919, he said that he had anemones in his garden and that they were the best lessons in colour composition.
Anemones in the garden
The anemone is moderately hardy, and many people use it as an annual plant. In milder regions, however, it’s a perennial garden plant. It can tolerate frost down to -7 oC.
It thrives best in a sheltered spot with well-drained soil, and a rock garden is often the best place.
Tip: If you plant the pot anemone in the garden in the spring, add a layer of compost to protect the plant from cold nights.
The Anemone can also be helped through the winter by removing the tubers from the ground in the autumn and replanting them in the spring.
If you don’t have a sheltered, warm spot in a rock garden, the anemone is also a charming annual plant which you can enjoy for a single spring and summer. With some simple care, it can be encouraged to flower for months. Then, like Henri Matisse, you can occasionally cut a flower for indoors.
Care
For months of flowering, cut away the wilted flowers.
As a patio plant:
Water regularly, but make sure the pot is not standing in water.
As a garden plant:
Provide a warm, sunny and sheltered spot in loose soil with sand/gravel.
Published on: 1 Abril 2024