FLOWERS A-Z: A IS FOR ANEMONE

 Hello everyone! I’m starting a new series from my little flower corner called “Flowers A–Z.” This series will highlight a different individual flower in each post, arranged alphabetically. I will offer a few facts about the flower, review some of its basic properties and demonstrate design ideas. I think it will be great fun and I hope you come along for this orderly (but always still a bit unruly) ride!

This week’s featured flower is the anemone. The anemone is in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. The name comes from the Greek word anemone, meaning “daughter of the wind,” or “windflower.” “Windflower” signifies the delicate, feathery petals and the idea that the same wind that blows the petals open will also, eventually, blow the dead petals away. It is also said in Greek mythology that the anemone is the flower that bloomed up from the spilled blood of Aphrodite’s lover, Adonis. Anemones come in shades of violet, pink, red and white and begin their early season in the fall. Although the peak season is late winter through early spring (when these bulb flowers are hearty and blossoming most beautifully), I jump at the chance to get them the minute they start appearing 

                  
 Anemones have incredibly delicate petals that are easily bruised or torn, so be gentle in handling them. The fuzzy centers are intricate and amazing but do contain pollen that can stain the petals.

                                    

 Anemones begin their life closed tightly, with just a hint of their hue. As they unfurl, the prized center is revealed. The centers are typically black or green with yellow fringe. Anemones have a short life as a cut flower and they pop open quickly at room temperature, so expect a gorgeous 2 to 3 days when they will be at their most proud. Up next, we’ll talk about how to work with anemones in arrangements!

Working with Anemones:

 As always, cut stems on an angle.

 Notice the anemone stem is hollow and can buckle, crush or crack. Initially, the stems should be crisp and snappy to the touch.

 As with all flowers or greens, clean thoroughly so that no foliage falls below the water line.

The look of the anemone, with its twisty stem and “hairy” neck is pretty wild. With the accompanying flowers or greens, you can play on this and go “wild” or you can feature the anemone’s unusual look by using a cleaner partner. With this first pairing, I went “wild.”

 Here, I am using the wild look of geranium, which also smells wonderfully fresh!

                  
 In this arrangement, the anemone are seated just above the bed of greens and are in various stages of opening, which adds to the visual interest.

 For a “clean” pairing, try something like celosia (“brain flower”) pictured above. Look for a partner like this with a smooth landscape to use as a perch for the anemone.

 Tuck the anemone between the clusters of celosia for a great mix of textures.

 Another “wild” option above is to use simple spider mums. These are inexpensive, hearty and provide a shock of bushy, green petals. Notice with these arrangements that you only have to use a few anemone and one other flower or green as a pairing for a cost effective, yet sophisticated look.

So, welcome to early fall and the first preview of anemone! See you tomorrow when “B” will be for . . .