Poppy type, pink shades
Pink poppy anemones are paler and softer than the reds. Their bowl-shaped flowers vary from blush to deep rose, with the same dark centre. They flower in the cool months, from July to October, and are planted as tubers in autumn.
Japanese anemones
The Japanese anemone, Anemone hupehensis and its hybrids, is a taller, clump-forming perennial that sends up single pink blooms on stems up to a metre high. It flowers in late summer and autumn, roughly February to May, and it prefers part shade. This one is a classic of cool gardens and spreads slowly.
Which pink anemone for your garden?
- Choose poppy types for cut flowers and pots.
- Choose Japanese types for a long-lived border plant.
- Both prefer cool conditions and struggle in the tropics.
- Both want moist but free-draining soil.
Anemones in general are linked to anticipation. A pink one reads gentler and suggests affection, which makes it a pleasing flower for a spring birthday.
Growing pink anemones the Australian way
Cut poppy anemones last about five to eight days. Recut the stems, change the water and keep them cool. They continue to grow in the vase and lean toward the light.
Both groups belong to the buttercup family. Their sap can irritate skin and the mouth, so wear gloves when cutting and keep pets from chewing them.
Choose plump tubers and soak before planting. In very warm areas, treat the plants as short-lived annuals.
