Windbloemen

Windbloemen, or windflowers in English, are flowering plants of the genus Anemone in the family Ranunculaceae. The name derives from the Greek anemos, meaning wind, a reference to the light, delicate petals and the early spring appearance of many species. The genus comprises herbaceous perennials that grow from tubers or rhizomes and produce flowers in a variety of colors, from white and pink to red and blue.

Core garden species include Anemone blanda (Grecian windflower), Anemone coronaria (poppy anemone) and Anemone nemorosa (wood anemone). They are native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia and have been widely cultivated as ornamentals. Garden forms range in habit and bloom time, with some flowering in early spring and others in late spring.

Cultivation and care vary by species. Anemone blanda and Anemone nemorosa often tolerate partial shade, while Anemone coronaria typically performs best in sun with cool roots. They are usually planted from tubers in autumn to flower in spring; in warmer climates they may be treated as annuals or forced in pots. They require well-drained soil and moderate moisture, with winter hardiness depending on species and cultivar.

Propagation is by division of clumps, tuber or corm division, or seed. In gardens, windflowers are used in borders, rock gardens, and woodland plantings, and they can provide early-season cut flowers. Notable cultivated groups include the Caen group of Anemone coronaria, known for double blossoms, as well as various cultivars of A. blanda and A. nemorosa offering a range of colors and flower forms.