How to Transplant Anemone

Timing and Preparation

• Transplant spring-blooming anemones in midsummer or early fall and fall-blooming specimens in spring to encourage rapid establishment and avoid missing out on flower displays. Whenever possible, perform the transplant when cool, overcast weather is anticipated for the next several days or weeks, as hot or cold temperature extremes can seriously stress a transplanted anemone. If sufficient rainfall has not occurred recently, a deep watering about a day or two before transplanting will make the soil easier to penetrate or loosen the root mass of container specimens and minimize stress to the plant.

Site Selection and Preparation

• Anemones that bloom in spring thrive in a site with partial shade, while specimens that bloom in fall can grow in full sun to partial shade. Loosening the top 12 to 15 inches of soil and working about 2 to 3 inches of an organic matter soil amendment like compost, aged manure or peat moss into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil encourages anemone vigor in their new position because these plants grow best in moist but well-drained and slightly acidic soil. If multiple plants will be transplanted or you are creating multiple sections from one plant, plan to space fall bloomers 18 inches apart. Wood anemones can be positioned just 10 inches apart.

Digging Up and Dividing

• A sharp spade forced into the ground in a circle 6 to 12 inches beyond the outer edge of the clump will capture the bulk of the roots. A sharp spade or a knife is potentially used to divide an anemone into multiple new plants, each with a proportionate amount of roots and stems.

Replanting and Care

• Set each anemone plant or section in a prepared planting hole, adding or removing soil under the root mass, if needed, so the anemone sits at the same depth it was previously growing with its roots fanned out slightly. Fill in the space around the anemone roots with soil removed to dig the hole. Gently firming the soil down as it is added will force out major air pockets. Thorough watering at planting and whenever soil about 2 inches below the surface feels dry to the touch settles soil around the roots and encourages anemone establishment. A 3-inch layer of organic mulch applied around the plant helps hold in moisture and deters weeds.