When to plant Anemones in Summit County, CO
Summit County sits in cold Zone 5a. Plant Anemones June 16–June 30 for the single annual harvest; the September 4 first frost closes the window.
When to Plant Anemones in Summit County, CO
Your June game plan for Summit County, Colorado
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Summit County, Colorado.
-
Plant out anemones
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
- Starting indoors: anemones
- First harvests: anemones
Poppy anemones (Anemone coronaria) produce vivid, poppy-like flowers with striking black centers, in shades of red, blue, purple, white, and bicolor. A cool-season cut flower favorite, they thrive in the mild overlap between winter's end and summer's arrival. In mild-winter zones (7+), fall planting yields a spectacular mid-spring bloom flush that florists prize. In colder zones, spring planting produces summer flowers. The 'Meron' and 'Moissonnier' series dominate commercial cut flower production; 'De Caen' and 'St. Brigid' are standard home garden strains.
Summit County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 16 and the first fall frost is September 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 80 days.
At an elevation of 7,005 feet, Summit County receives approximately 17.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Anemones to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Anemones successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Summit County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-8
Drainage
Well Drained
Anemones Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Summit County
How your county's soil matches Anemones's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–8.0) is more alkaline than Anemones prefers (5.5–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Summit County is excellent for Anemones — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Anemones.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Anemones.
How to Plant Anemones
Anemones Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Anemones
Anemones needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Anemones Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.3" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Summit County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Anemones Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Anemones Planting Timeline — Summit County, CO
Anemones Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | May 19 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 16 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 |
| Bloom | July 28 | Jul 28 – Aug 25 |
Plant 3" deep · 5" apart · Rows 6" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Start Indoors |
| June | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
90–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
80 days in Summit County
Growing Tips for Anemones in Summit County
Direct sow Anemones outdoors after June 16 in Summit County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 80.0-day growing season in Summit County is tight for Anemones (90.0-120.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
Summit County receives only 18" of rain annually. Anemones needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
Soak corms in tepid water for 2–4 hours before planting to rehydrate them. Plant 2–3 inches deep with the flat or rough side down (corms are irregular). Space 4–6 inches apart. Anemones are cool-season plants — they need cool temperatures to set buds; summer heat causes dormancy. In zones 7+, fall planting allows corms to root through winter and bloom in March–April. In zones 5–6, start corms indoors 4 weeks before last frost, then transplant after danger of hard freeze passes. In zones 9–10b, plant from October through January for a succession of blooms. After bloom, allow foliage to die back; corms can be lifted, dried, and stored in a cool, dry place through summer.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Anemones in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Anemones in Summit County, CO?
Summit County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 16. Plan your Anemones planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Summit County, CO?
Summit County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 16 and first fall frost is September 4.
When should I plant Anemones in Summit County, CO?
In Summit County, CO, plant Anemones after the last frost (around June 16) and before the first frost (around September 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Summit County, CO for Anemones?
Summit County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Anemones grows reliably in zones 5a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Anemones grow in Summit County's climate?
Yes — Anemones grows well in Summit County's temperate climate. Summit County averages a 80-day frost-free season, with last frost around June 16 and first frost around September 4.
Your Summit County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Summit County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.