Anemone coronaria 'De Caen'
This is the single‑flowered De Caen Group of garden anemone, a tuberous selection of Anemone coronaria. It stands out for simple poppy‑like flowers in clear red, white, blue, and pink. It performs best in cool seasons with sharp drainage. In North America it is hardy in warmer regions and is grown as a cool‑season annual elsewhere. Plants clump modestly and go dormant after flowering. Stems are suitable for small spring arrangements when cut in bud stage. This group needs full sun to light shade and protection from winter wet in cold climates.
At‑a‑glance
· Group/Class: De Caen Group (single forms)
· Height × spread: 10-18 in (25-45 cm) × 6-9 in (15-23 cm)
· Bloom window: spring
· Color & flower form: single poppy‑like flowers; red, white, blue, pink
· Fragrance: 0 none
· USDA hardiness: zones 7-10; grown as annual in colder zones
· Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown, unknown, France
· – Cut‑flower notes: harvest at painted‑bud stage; vase life typically 3-7 days with preservative; ethylene sensitive; do not mix with fresh daffodils
· Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Single flowers rather than doubles common in some windflowers.
- Short, compact clumps compared with tall Japanese anemones.
- Spring bloom well before late‑season windflowers.
- Best in full sun and dry summer dormancy rather than consistent moisture.
- Often sold as mixed strains rather than a single named clone.
Strengths
- Vivid spring color from compact plants.
- Works for small‑scale cutting when timed well.
- Good deer tolerance reported by extensions and gardens.
- Handles Mediterranean‑type dry summer dormancy.
Care in one minute
- Site in full sun to light shade with wind shelter.
- Soil: sandy or loamy, well‑drained, neutral to slightly alkaline; improve drainage before planting.
- Water: keep evenly moist in active growth; keep dry in summer dormancy.
- Feeding: light balanced fertilizer at sprout and bud stage.
- Planting: soak and pre‑sprout tubers cool; plant 2 to 3 in deep; space 4 to 6 in.
- Overwintering: in zones colder than 7, lift and store dry after foliage dies back.
Watch‑outs
- Tubers can rot in wet or heavy soils.
- Prone to fungal issues in humid or wet springs.
- Short vase life compared with many cuts.
- Stems can be short without cool, bright conditions.
Best uses (tags)
cutting, borders, containers, massing, spring color
Provenance note
De Caen Group singles were developed in France and are widely offered as mixed strains of Anemone coronaria.
References
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox – Anemone coronaria
- RHS Plant profile – Anemone coronaria De Caen Group
- UC Davis Postharvest – Anemone, Windflower
- MSU Extension – Top‑rated garden flowers for cutting (Anemone coronaria vase life)
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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