It’s hard to resist the temptation of anemones, with their gorgeous colours and long vase life. But these flowers definitely need more than the usual amount of TLC to keep them looking their best for as long as possible. This is because often, anemones continue to grow once they’ve been cut and they change a lot in appearance as the tight bud opens up.  Tulips also do this however Tulips continue to grow far greater, Anemones are more subtle. 

 

This guide contains all you need to know about caring for anemones, so don’t be afraid to include a few in your next market bunch!

Tip: When buying anemones, if you need them on the day, go for buds that have opened already. If you don’t need the flowers open on the day you buy, go for the tight, closed buds. These will open up a few days later in your bouquet and you’ll get more life out of them.

 

Step 1: Remove from original wrapping 

 

Your anemones won’t live for long in the wrapping you receive them in, and the longer you leave them the more likely your blooms will open up, shortening the life span dramatically. Get your flowers out of the wrapping as soon as you can, being careful to separate the flowers gently so you don’t damage the stems or the petals.

 

Step 2: Trim the stems

 

We always suggest cutting flower stems on a diagonal, which gives the stem more surface area to soak in water through. A sharp pair of snips should do the trick––blunt snips or scissors are likely to damage the stems.

 

Step 3: Place in the vase

 

Once you’ve given your vase a good clean to clear out any lingering bacteria, fill it to about ⅓ full (depending on the height of the vase) with room temperature water. Arrange your stems carefully, keeping in mind that the overall look of the arrangement will transform as the buds open. 

 

Step 4: Support the stems

 

As anemones can have med-long stems (especially the varieties grown in glasshouses), we want them to be well supported in the vase so they don’t droop over the sides. Either use a vase that is tall enough to support the stems (with the flowers well above the brim) or add foliage to support the stems.  

Step 5: Change the water

 

Anenomes can drink a lot of water as they continue to grow in the vase, so make sure you’re topping up the water regularly. Better yet, if you see the water level getting low, remove the flowers, clean the vase and fill it with fresh water to get rid of any bacteria that may have been growing in the vase. This will also help your blooms live for longer.

 

Step 6: Keep them away from heat

 

Like most cut flowers, anemones aren’t going to last long in constant direct sunlight,  a heated room or in front of the air conditioner. If possible, find a spot for them in a cool room that receives indirect sunlight during the day. 

 

If you keep to these steps, your anemones should keep their beauty for many days to come. Make sure to tag @bloomcollege on socials if you snap a photo of your own anemones––we’d love to see them!