Stumbled upon anemone de caen bulbs - what to do with them

[Babru]

I just discovered a bag of anemone de caen bulbs I have forgotten to plant.

Not sure what to do with them ie how hardy are they? It's pretty cold here at the moment (it's -3.5 in my greenhouse right now at nearly 9am). If I don't plant them, will they last till spring for planting....any thoughts?

[muck lover]

I have never had much success with an Anemone de Caen. But I think planting at this time of year it’s probably not the best idea. I would wait until spring and then soak overnight and plant them. But maybe you should take advice from someone who has good success with them.

[lottie dolly]

maybe to cold outside,why not put them in pots inside,at least they will get a chance,the you can replant when they have flowered next year,i often find find that bulbs left,will just die away anyway,so give em a shot,you might end up with some for the big day.

[Babru]

That's a good idea, thanks lottie dolly. If I get some flowers inside that'll be nice. If I don't, serves me right!

[quanglewangle]

They are corms rather than bulbs so I would have thought that, kept cool and dry they would store ok over winter for planting out in the spring.

We had great success with anemone de caen this year. We planted about 120 corms in March and had so many we ended up selling bunches from a table in the lane outside. We have left them in and are crossing our fingers for next year.

We treated them like we do peas and beans: soak in water overnight and dip in paraffin to confuse the mice.

Caveat: we are in extreme southwest of Cornwall with lowest temp so far about 5C and in some winters we don't get a frost. YMMV as they say.

[SarrissUK]

Oooh I've just seen what these flowers look like, and they are beautiful! I might have to get some and see if I can get them happy in my garden

[quanglewangle]

Oooh I've just seen what these flowers look like, and they are beautiful! I might have to get some and see if I can get them happy in my garden

They are pretty showy. If you cut them on a slant and put each stem straight into water as you pick it then change the water every day they will last a week or ten days.

[Babru]

I've grown them successfully before in a sunny spot, and I had some return in subsequent years. Definitely give them a go Sariss. I just felt it was too cold to put them out now, if I'd planted them back in September they might well do ok.

[SarrissUK]

Thank you Babru - yes I will see if I can put it on a shopping list for planting in my front garden in the spring. The ivy needs something to compete with them, and it's a lovely sunny sheltered spot, so they might do alright there