Poppy anemones are herbaceous flowering plants in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to the Mediterranean region. The specific epithet means "crown" referring to the central crown of the flower The plant will grow up to 1.5 feet tall and spread 6 to 9 inches wide in full sun to light shade. Plant in the fall in well-drained amended garden soil 2 to 3 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart. Proagate from seed or divide the rhizomes. In spring 2.5-inch daisy-like flowers in blue, red or white with black centers appear singly on 12-inch stems. The plants die down after flowering. Hybrids come in a larger range of colors and single to semi-double flowers. Use in the border front, in groups, in containers, under deciduous trees and shrubs in the cutting, pollinator or cottage garden. In colder regions, they can be used as annuals or the tubers can be stored. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Cutworms and the larvae of some moths will damage foliage. Root rot can occur in too wet soils. Prone to fungal disease in humid or wet conditions.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Mounding
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Whorled
Leaf margin
Lobed
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are fern-like, compound with three leaflets, form a loose basal rosette and are deeply lobed. There is a whorl of small leaves just below the flower.
Flower color
Black; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
This flower blooms in mid-spring. The color is red but also comes in purple and white. The 2.5-inch flowers occur singly and are cup-shaped with 7-9-sepals with a black center.
Toxic if eaten in large quantities and causes severe pain in the mouth. Poisonous by ingestion and dermatitis. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Symptoms: Inflammation and blistering upon contact with fresh sap; irritation of mouth, vomiting and diarrhea following ingestion.