Anemones that bloom in spring are bulbous plants. Just like the perennials of autumn anemones, the colorful flowers hardly need any pruning. A complete pruning is not necessary. What you need to know about cutting anemones.
When and how should I prune anemones?
Cutting anemones is rarely necessary, except for the vase or for diseased parts of the plant. Cut spent flowers to encourage flowering and remove diseased foliage to prevent the spread of anemone rust. The he althy foliage should be cut in autumn.
When do you have to cut anemones?
- Flowers for the vase
- Withered
- Leaves in autumn
- Diseased plant parts
Cut anemones for the vase
Anemones look particularly decorative in colorful spring bouquets. Cut the flowers before they have fully bloomed.
The best time to cut anemones for the vase is in the morning and evening. The flowers will then last longer.
Change the water in the vase regularly. The anemones stay fresh for up to eight days.
Continuously cut faded flowers
You should always cut off spent flowers immediately, unless you want to collect seeds to propagate your anemones.
The formation of seeds costs the plant a lot of energy. Fewer new flowers will then appear. Cutting stimulates flower formation.
Pruning the leaves in autumn
Even if the anemones have bloomed, you must not cut the leaves. The leaves supply the tubers with nutrients that the anemone needs for growth next year.
In autumn the leaves turn yellow and begin to shrink. Only now can you grab the scissors and cut off the leaves.
If you dig up the tubers in autumn to overwinter them indoors, cut off the leaves beforehand.
Remove diseased leaves immediately
Anemones often suffer from anemone rust in a moist and shady location. It causes the leaves to change color and dry out before autumn.
Plant parts affected by anemone rust should be cut immediately so that the disease cannot spread further.
Then clean the secateurs thoroughly and dispose of the diseased leaves with household waste or burn them. Under no circumstances should you put it in the compost or store it in the garden.
Tips & Tricks
Since anemones belong to the buttercup family and are slightly poisonous, you should always wear gloves when cutting. If plant sap gets on the skin, inflammation and blisters can occur.