Spring Starts in Fall

One of the truths of flower farming and gardening is that we have to live a season ahead.

Early spring anemone at Purple Tuteur Farm

While the dahlias are blooming and the chrysanthemums are just beginning their fall show, we're already thinking about spring.

That's because some of the flowers we look forward to most—ranunculus and anemones—get their start in fall. The small, rather unremarkable corms we plant now spend the cooler months developing into plants that will give us armloads of flowers in early spring.

It's one of those transformations that never gets old.

Our Spring Flowers Are on Their Way

Anemone Corms

We're eagerly awaiting the arrival of our ranunculus and anemone corms from Europe. We've ordered enough to grow for our early spring subscriptions and local florists, along with extras for those of you who would like to grow a cutting garden of your own.

If you've never grown ranunculus or anemones before, don't be intimidated by those funny-looking little corms. Here in the South, fall is a wonderful time to plant them. They establish during the cooler months and reward us with flowers just when we're craving color again.

Ranunculus are known for their layers and layers of petals, creating flowers that can look almost like small roses. They come in an extraordinary range of colors and make wonderful cut flowers.

Anemones have a very different personality. Their more open flowers and dramatic centers add something special to the early spring garden—and to a vase of freshly cut flowers.

I would have a very hard time choosing between the two.

When Will the Corm Shop Open?

Rununculus harvest at Purple Tutuer Farm

We expect the corms to arrive from Europe during the third week of September. Because availability can change right up until shipment, we wait until the corms are actually here before opening the online shop.

Once they're in our hands, we'll let you know.

In the meantime, while we're still cutting dahlias and waiting for the chrysanthemums to bloom, another season is already beginning—at least in our minds.

If you could grow only one next spring, which would you choose: ranunculus or anemones?

P.S. We expect our ranunculus and anemone corms to arrive during the third week of September. Newsletter subscribers will be the first to know when the shop opens.