How to grow Wood Anemone in the UK
Anemone blanda
Wood Anemone (Anemone blanda) is a flower that grows well in UK gardens. Soak the corms overnight before planting — they're dry and shrivelled but revive. Naturalises beautifully. This guide covers when and how to sow Wood Anemone, the soil and position it likes, watering and feeding, companion planting, and when to harvest.
Type
Flowers
Difficulty
Easy — good for beginners
Position
dappled shade
Sow
spring
Harvest
—
When to sow & grow Wood Anemone
Sowing and harvest window through the year (UK):
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep Plant | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Soil, position & care
- Soil
- Free-draining soil; bulbs rot in waterlogged ground
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Position
- Sun to dappled shade; many naturalise under deciduous trees
- Sowing depth
- 2–3× the bulb height deep
- Spacing
- 2–3 bulb-widths apart
- Sowing
- Plant dormant bulbs in autumn (tulips best in November)
- Growing
- Little care needed; feed after flowering if naturalising
- Harvest & upkeep
- Let foliage die back naturally — do not tie or cut for 6 weeks after flowering
- Watch for
- Slugs on shoots; squirrels dig newly planted bulbs; narcissus bulb fly
Companion planting for Wood Anemone
No specific companion notes for this plant.
Grow Wood Anemone this year
Add Wood Anemone to your free 12-month plan and get watering & sowing reminders — no sign-up needed.
Wood Anemone FAQs
How much sun does Wood Anemone need?
Wood Anemone prefers dappled shade.
Is Wood Anemone easy to grow?
Easy — good for beginners. Soak the corms overnight before planting — they're dry and shrivelled but revive. Naturalises beautifully.