Flower Of The Week – Anemone

Flower of the week

Common name:  windflowers

Botanical Names: Anemone

Origin: East Mediterranean and Asia Minor

Colours: striking red, blue, cerise, burgundy and white with mainly black centres

Pronounced a-nem-o-nee, the name comes from the Greek word “anemos”, which means wind. Growers have cultivated outsize Anemones in recent years, which are perfect for displaying in vases singly.  Although their vibrant colours look equally good arranged en masse.

The Anemone symbolized the death of Adonis in Greek Mythology.  It is said Aphrodite used the blood-red Anemone to preserve his memory. This is the origin of ‘Adonis gardens’, clay pots filled with Anemones.

Anemones are perennial herbs from the Ranunculaceae or buttercup family.  They are mainly available from September to May, and are now grown throughout Europe, They don’t like to be out of water and are quite thirsty drinkers when in a vase. Anemones continue to grow after being cut from the bulbs.

Their delicate, paper like blooms are exquisite in spring bouquets, in their pale shade of lillacy/white or vibrant blues and red.  They are also popular in winter bridal bouquets.