Why poppy? Look at the pictures. This is one of the tricks plants play on us. They resemble other species so much but have one key element totally different to make that obvious similarity quite unbelievable. Red, white or pink poppies do exist but blue ones not.
Anemone coronaria resembles poppies but to be fair, it does not need that kind of comparison to be recognised. Its pretty flowers composed of so called tepals (you can call them petals if you like) appear naturally in the Mediterranean region. They grow on stems decorated with a crown of deeply dissected leaves just below the vividly coloured flowers However, the most important part of the plant is the tuber. It allows us to regulate the flowering time of this beautiful plant in such a way that we can enjoy "blue poppies" in midsummer.
Anemone coronaria resembles poppies but to be fair, it does not need that kind of comparison to be recognised. Its pretty flowers composed of so called tepals (you can call them petals if you like) appear naturally in the Mediterranean region. They grow on stems decorated with a crown of deeply dissected leaves just below the vividly coloured flowers However, the most important part of the plant is the tuber. It allows us to regulate the flowering time of this beautiful plant in such a way that we can enjoy "blue poppies" in midsummer.
How can we do that? First of all, we need the tubers. They can be bought all year around in garden centres, dry. Dry anemone tubers look like little chunks of rock and do not resemble any living organism. Once we put them in tepid water for 24 hours they get soaked and can be planted in good garden compost. The planting time depends on us; we can do it late winter, early spring or late spring or any other time. But we should allow several weeks of decent weather for the plants to grow and flower, so do not plant them before winter time unless you want to decorate your house not garden with charming anemones.
They like a lot of sunlight but are grateful for a light shade especially in June and July when the sun rays can be harmful. The tubers last for more than one season in milder regions of Europe. In the norther parts of our beautiful continent they are treated as annuals, still unsurpassable.
According to some books Anemone coronaria symbolises fading youth and all suffering leading to death. Not a very promising and joyous symbol I must say. Despite the gloomy symbolism its flowers very very popular with painters in the past and today we can admire their artistic portraits in museums. And live portraits in the garden.
They like a lot of sunlight but are grateful for a light shade especially in June and July when the sun rays can be harmful. The tubers last for more than one season in milder regions of Europe. In the norther parts of our beautiful continent they are treated as annuals, still unsurpassable.
According to some books Anemone coronaria symbolises fading youth and all suffering leading to death. Not a very promising and joyous symbol I must say. Despite the gloomy symbolism its flowers very very popular with painters in the past and today we can admire their artistic portraits in museums. And live portraits in the garden.
Jarek
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