Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a spring bulb in multiple colors that was easy to grow, naturalized beautifully and had foliage and flowers that disappeared after blooming, requiring no clean-up? There is such a bulb (although technically a corm). It is called Anemone Blanda or Grecian Windflower. Anemone Blandas come in white, pink and light and dark blue. They naturalize beautifully and disappear without a trace when their blooming time is over.
Photo credit: Missouri Botanical Garden
With all these wonderful qualities one would expect to see more of them then one does. I believe the reasons behind their lack of use are incomplete growing instructions on their packets and accessibility issues. However, these barriers are easily overcome.
The charmingly petite, daisy-like blooms of anemone blanda arrive in early to mid-spring. It is a low grower - 4 to 8 inches - and makes a fine flowering ground cover that adds color to the landscape when it needs it most. Perfect for planting in rock gardens, it is also perfect for growing under deciduous trees and shrubs because it blooms before the trees and shrubs leaf out. Â
Hardy in zones 4 - 9, anemone blanda grows best in locations with well-drained soiland full to half day sun. Sold completely dry and looking like shriveled up kernels, these corms need to be soaked before planting. Often missing from the corm packet, this instruction has led to gardeners planting the corns dry, resulting in no growth. Instead, soak the corms in tepid water for 3 - 4 hours or overnight, if necessary, until they plump up and nearly double their size.
Plant in odd-numbered ‘drifts’, 3 to 4 inches deep, anytime from mid-September to mid-October. This gives the corm time to grow roots before the ground freezes. (There is no obvious top or bottom to these corms, however, the com will find it’s way up to the light).
Most Minnesota soils are rich in phosphorus, an essential macronutrient for blooming. Unless your soil tests deficient in phosphorus or potassium, skip the fertilizer and add compost when planting these corms.
Photo credit Missouri Botanical Garden
Although occasionally available at big box stores, anemone blanda can be hard to find. Do an internet search for anemone blanda or visit the websites for Brecks, Spring Hill, Dutch Grown or Burpee Gardening. All these online stores carry anemone blandas/Grecian windflowers.
Plant now and enjoy these colorful, daisy-like flowers next April.
References:
https://www.almanac.com/plant/anemone