Anemone coronaria is not a common flower when one considers winter blooming plants. Intrigued with the noticeable swelling pod to this morning’s delightful bloom, I simply had to share.
My infatuation with Anemone happened when I noticed a peculiar pod in a planter sitting on the front stoop. Longing for a brief winter in anticipation of finishing a specific garden project, I began to watch this quiet metamorphosis in a forgotten pot.
Finally – much to my surprise, it slowly began a striptease of sorts. Petal by petal, this bud opened and brought a smile to my face every time I passed it by. This Anemone was a guaranteed smile anytime I could catch a glimpse of it during the daylight hours. I found myself longing for the weekends so I could see this gift from Mother Nature.
January weather is often unpredictable. If we get snow, it usually happens the third week of the month. Of course, the third week was is also the much anticipated long weekend. The weather forecast was promising what I thought would be the death of my sacred Anemone. We finally received a dose of snow. As I shoveled the front stop, my sacred bloom was no longer visible.
If the bloom did not survive the snow, it would have been a sad moment. I’m glad I took the time to capture this unexpected Anemone bloom in photographs. As gardeners, we know how the garden is in a consistent state of change. The bud or bloom you see in the morning will most likely be different by nightfall. The act of change or transition in the garden is familiar to every gardener.
It is almost February. In five days or so, I will see more growth on the bulbs in the ground. The potted pansies will raise their little heads and the foliage of the potted Heuchera villosa, will still be the bright spot as winter lingers.
Today, most of the snow has departed leaving most gardens with the task of absorbing the moisture left behind. It is 61 degrees in my Zone 7b garden – in January. Mother Nature knows when the time is right for certain plants to demonstrate their strength. Today, I lowered my eyes and my Anemone was returning the gaze. As our eyes met, we shared a smile.
On a warm, but gray day in January, Anemone coronaria is showing all who care to notice her. The strength and ability to ward off the chilly snow filled days and still bloom is the reward for a bit of patience. I now remember that in a moment of sorting seeds, corms, and bulbs in preparation for the 2023 seed swap, planting was better than disposing of them. This particular planter had pansies last Spring and vinca last summer. It feels great knowing this Anemone chose this year to show her strengths, especially having endured soil disruption. Anemone sown from corm or bareroot, have a few basic requirements. This plant needs to have some type of cold stratification, good drainage, sun/sun-part shade, and above all – patience. Anemone needs to settle in for a few seasons before it decides to bloom.
I am so glad time did not allow me to cut this lone bloom for a vase indoors. The opportunity for me to enjoy this Anemone in her natural element is something I am glad to see firsthand. The forth Saturday of January has been National Seed Swap Day since 2006 when Kathy Jentz, Editor/Publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine created this day as an official signal for seed sowing season to begin. This Saturday many seed aficionados are sorting, labeling and preparing for a day of seed bliss with local seed-sharing events.
Are there special moments in your garden when you expect nothing in the bleakness of winter? What surprises have you enjoyed from Mother Nature? Are you attending a Seed Swap or Exchange any time soon??
Now that our days are brighter a little longer, I can enjoy my Anemone first thing in the morning, as well as the evening. With the warmer than average temps, sitting on my front stoop with Precious, peering at my Anemone, will be quite meaningful.
Teri, Cottage in the Court
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