The Essential Guide To The Anemone
Botanical Name: Anemone spp.
Common Name: Anemone
General Knowledge: The anemone flower, originally native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, is widely appreciated for its vibrant colours and unique appearance in floral arrangements. Commonly used in bouquets, boutonnieres, and table centrepieces, anemones add a touch of elegance and charm to various events, including weddings and parties. A fun fact about anemones is that they are also known as "windflowers," a name derived from the ancient Greek belief that they would only bloom when the wind blew in the springtime.
Colour Range: White, red, rose-pink to magenta, lavender to purple, blue. Most varieties have a black centre, while some may have a yellow-green centre.
Australian Seasonal Availability: Mainly available from mid-winter through spring.
Australian Wedding and Event Season Availability: Anemones are popular for spring weddings and events due to their delicate appearance and vibrant colours. They are often used in bridal bouquets, table arrangements, and other floral displays.
Commercially Grown in Australia: Yes, anemones are commercially grown in various parts of Australia.
Imported into Australia: While they are grown locally, anemones may also be imported to meet high demand, especially out of their natural growing season.
Buying Tips: Look for flowers where the petals have started to separate from the centre but are not completely open. Leaves should be glossy green. Avoid bunches with overly twisted stems.
Design Tips and Advice: Anemones are transitional flowers, making them very popular for cottage-style arrangements. They work well in vases, hand-tied bouquets, and posies. However, they are not suitable for use in floral foam.
Flower Maturity: Choose blooms that have started to open but are not yet fully flat.
Expected Vase Life: Typically, anemones have a vase life of 4–7 days.
Typical Stem Length: Around 30 cm.
Typical Bunch Size: The number of stems per bunch can vary.
Floral Preservatives: Use floral preservatives to extend vase life.
Ethylene Sensitivity: Anemones are highly sensitive to ethylene. Take steps to protect them from exposure.
Temperature Requirements: Maintain cool storage at 2–4 °C.
Avoiding Potential Problems: Anemones tend to bend towards light, so ensure lighting is even. If they do bend, wrap them in wet paper, place them in water, and leave in a cool dark spot.
Cooling and Cool Rooms: Store at 2–4 °C but be aware that the flowers will close up when refrigerated.
Hydration and Vase Solutions: Use a hydrating solution after conditioning, but do not hold for more than 2 days in water.
Care of Ethylene Sensitive Products: Take steps to protect anemones from ethylene exposure.