Anemones, often called windflowers, are cherished garden additions known for their vibrant, poppy-like blooms that signal the arrival of spring. These flowers are grown from small, irregularly shaped corms, often incorrectly called bulbs. Determining the correct planting time is crucial for success, especially for gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zone 6, where winter temperatures can be unpredictable. Planting time is dictated by the specific type of anemone chosen and the seasonal conditions of your climate.
Understanding Anemone Types for Zone 6
The Anemone genus includes hundreds of species, but Zone 6 gardeners primarily encounter two distinct groups with different planting schedules. The first group consists of corm-based varieties, such as Anemone coronaria (Poppy Anemone) and Anemone blanda (Grecian Windflower). These are planted for early spring color. They are cold-hardy but vulnerable to the harsh freeze-thaw cycles common in Zone 6 winters. The second group includes fibrous-rooted types, notably Japanese Anemones (A. hupehensis or A. x hybrida), which are planted in spring for late summer to fall bloom. This guide focuses on the planting timing and preparation for the spring-blooming corms.
Optimal Planting Timing for Spring Bloomers
For Zone 6 gardeners, planting spring-blooming anemone corms requires balancing root establishment time with protection from extreme cold. While gardeners in milder climates (Zone 7 and warmer) often plant in the fall, Zone 6 presents a greater risk of corm rot or freezing if planted too early. Therefore, the most successful strategy is planting in late winter or very early spring.
The ideal window is to plant the corms as soon as the soil is workable, typically late March to early April in Zone 6. This timing allows the corms to establish roots in cool, moist soil before spring warmth encourages growth and bloom.
Some experienced gardeners choose to pre-sprout the corms indoors, starting the process about eight weeks before the last expected frost. They can then transplant the rooted corms into the garden six weeks before that date. This technique gives the plants a significant jump start in colder zones.
A fall planting is possible but requires extra caution and is generally recommended for the milder parts of Zone 6 (6b) using a protective layer. Aim for a window about six to eight weeks before the ground freezes solid, usually late September through October. Fall-planted corms generally produce earlier and more vigorous blooms, benefiting from the winter chilling period.
Essential Preparation and Site Selection
Dormant anemone corms require a specific preparation step before planting to ensure successful germination. Rehydrate the corms by soaking them in room-temperature water for three to four hours. Soaking them longer, such as overnight, can cause the corms to rot. The corms will visibly plump up, indicating they are ready for planting.
When selecting a site in Zone 6, full sun to partial shade is appropriate, but the soil must be well-draining to prevent rot. If water pools after heavy rain, the location is unsuitable unless the soil is amended with organic material like compost. Plant the rehydrated corms two to three inches deep and space them four to six inches apart. If the corm’s shape makes it difficult to determine the top and bottom, planting it on its side is an acceptable solution.