Mona Lisa® Red Bicolor Anemone

Mona Lisa® Red Bicolor is an upright, cool-season selection of Anemone coronaria, distinguished by its red-and-white bicolor flowers on sturdy stems. PanAmerican Seed lists the cultivar at about 18 inches tall and 6 inches wide, flowering in early spring and autumn, and recommends the Mona Lisa® series for cut-flower use. ## Seasonal display and siting Use this color contrast in a sheltered border, container, or cutting bed. The breeder lists the selection for partial sun and greenhouse or high-tunnel production; in a garden, a sunny site with light afternoon shade in warm conditions is a reasonable fit. Seasonal flowering varies with climate and planting schedule. [PanAmerican Seed](https://www.panamseed.com/Products/004800948004469/anemone-mona-lisa-red-bicolor/) identifies the cultivar as Red Bicolor (PAS1850), part of the Mona Lisa® F1 series. ## Growing conditions Anemone coronaria prefers free-draining soil and sun or light shade. Keep the soil from drying during active growth, while avoiding prolonged wetness around the tuber. After flowering, the plant dies back and the dormant tuber should experience a drier summer rest. In colder areas, treat it as a cool-season annual or protect the tuber from hard frost and excess winter rain. Consult the [RHS growing guide](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/anemone/spring-flowering/growing-guide) and [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/anemone-coronaria/common-name/spanish-marigold/) for species-level cultivation details. ## Maintenance Water new plantings as they establish and during active growth when needed. Cut flowers as buds become colored and begin opening. Allow foliage to yellow naturally before removing it, then maintain drier conditions during dormancy. PanAmerican Seed reports that the series does not require staking, netting, or disbudding in cut-flower production.