Anemones from Italy shine like a sunset over the hills of Liguria. We stroll through the most beautiful mountain nursery we’ve ever seen – at about 200 meters high and overlooking fairy-tale harbor towns and a azure blue sea – and come across fields full of brightly colored exotic anemones with strong stems and large heads. A true paradise for Greenflor as a flower wholesaler!
An ideal climate for exotic anemones
The location of this nursery is no coincidence. In Italy, anemones thrive under conditions favorable to their growth and bloom. Cultivation often occurs in regions such as Liguria, Tuscany, and Sicily, where the soil is fertile and the temperatures are mild. Even this grower – in Ligurian San Remo – benefits from the well-draining soil and good humidity that this region offers, which anemones love. His approach is grand, but his greenhouses are uncomplicated. Wooden poles, no more than 1.80 meters high, and covered with special cloth at the top. This way, the anemones are protected from the elements when needed, yet they still enjoy the fresh mountain air and Italian sun. This results in high quality and beautiful flowers with truly Italian quality.
A nursery full of craftsmanship
The cultivation, care, and harvesting of exotic anemones and other flowers at this nursery are still done by hand; nothing is automated. In total, the cultivation of anemones, ranunculus, peonies, and poppies at this nursery covers about 20 hectares of mountainous terrain. To maintain all of this, grower Steffano employs 18 people year-round. While our flower buyer Marc from Graas is busy talking to him – discussing quality, logistics, and prices among other things – we marvel at endless rows of colorful anemones. They are meticulously cared for by local Italian experts, by hand and with a lot of love. After all, the cultivation of anemones requires careful attention, the right amount of water, and the best nutrients – even in this idyllic setting.
Unique varieties of anemones
We continue our exploration and come across unique varieties of eucalyptus being tested, fields full of budding peony plants, and even our own breeding greenhouse. An elderly lady carefully tends to and inspects the flowers and plants inside. New varieties, colors, and sizes are tested here for potential production. Currently, grower Steffano is experimenting with testing and producing the Levante anemone for the first time. It’s a new, delicate variety with a double heart – full of beautiful and characteristic leaves, typical of anemones.
The combination of authentic Italian craftsmanship and forward-thinking business acumen is what makes this grower so special. It’s also why flower wholesaler Greenflor is so proud of Steffano’s contribution to our unique Italian flower assortment!
