Anemone ‘Lord Lieutenant’ is a beautiful St. Brigid type of Anemone coronaria 'Lord Lieutenant', valued for its rich blue to violet-blue flowers and strong stems. The blooms are semi-double to double, with several layers of gently ruffled petals surrounding a contrasting dark centre. Each flower can reach around 7–8 cm across, making it particularly striking when planted in groups. The plant forms a neat clump of finely divided, dark green foliage, with upright stems rising above the leaves. It generally grows to around 25–30 cm tall and spreads about 15 cm, making it suitable for borders, raised beds, rockeries, balconies and containers. The jewel-like blue flowers are especially attractive in spring and also make excellent cut flowers for small bouquets and vase arrangements.
Growing guide for Anemone Lord Lieutenant Bulbs
Planting instructions
Use a container with several drainage holes. An 8–10 inch (20–25 cm) diameter pot is suitable for a small group of bulbs, while a wider trough or planter can be used if you want to create a larger display. Fill it with a loose, well-draining potting mix containing garden soil, compost and coarse sand/perlite. Plant the corms around 5 cm deep, keeping approximately 8–10 cm between them. Avoid packing too many corms into one pot because crowded, wet conditions can encourage fungal problems. Place the container somewhere bright and sheltered.
Growing Requirements
Pests
Anemones are generally not too bothered by pests or diseases. Keep an eye out for aphids, snails, and slugs. Use organic pest control methods if needed.
soil
Anemones thrive in well-draining, sandy or loamy soil. Make sure the soil isn't too heavy or soggy. You can improve soil quality with compost.
spot
Choose a spot with partial to full sun for your anemones. They can tolerate some shade, especially in hot climates. Good air circulation helps prevent disease.
temperature
Anemones like cool temperatures. They grow best in spring and early fall when it's not too hot. Avoid planting them in the middle of summer.
watering
Water your anemones regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can cause disease.
how to harvest
Anemone Lord Lieutenant is an excellent choice for a home cut-flower garden. For the longest vase life, harvest the stems when the flower bud has developed its colour and is beginning to open, rather than waiting until the flower is completely open. This is particularly useful with Anemones because the blooms continue to open after cutting. Cut the stem close to its base using a clean, sharp pair of scissors or secateurs. Place the stems in clean, cool water immediately after harvesting. Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline and change the water regularly. Harvesting flowers encourages you to enjoy the blooms indoors while leaving the plant's remaining foliage to continue supporting the corm until it naturally dies back.
