The distinguishing characteristics of the genus Anemone are the presence of three entire leaflets arranged in a whorl just under the flowers, forming an involucre, and the fact that the flowers themselves have no real petals, but a calyx of six to eight petal-like sepals. All species share the acrid and bitter nature of almost all plants of the Ranunculus order to which they belong, and the leaves and flowers should not be eaten. A yellow-flowered foreign species, A. ranunculoides , found in almost all parts of the Continent, has been used for poisoning arrows, and in France, swelling and blistering of the hands has resulted from using the juice as a stimulant to ulceration. Sea sand, or a little salt mixed with the soil is a good preventive of mildew. Sow thinly in lines on the surface and merely rake the seeds in with a very light hand.
Germination is slow.
Thin the plants to 6 inches apart. Thinnings will bear transplanting if carefully handled and helped with water afterwards. The first flowers are generally produced the first spring after sowing, but soil and situation have always a great effect on them. When planting, cover with soil to the depth of 3 inches. Most garden Anemones can be treated in this way.