Anemone

Botanical/Latin
   Anemone

Pronunciation
   ah-Nem-o-nee

Common Name
   Windflower

Hardiness zone range
   3 - 9

General Comments
Anemones are graceful, elegant perennials that form a highly diverse but very important family of garden plants. About 120 different species exist in nature, from small ground huggers to tall stately perennials. They have one thing in common and that is the delightful flowers that are borne on wiry stems that display them prominently above attractive foliage. For the sake of simplicity, we have divided them into two groups, spring flowering and fall flowering.

Uses
While they are simply superb when planted together as informal groups, Anemones look equally at home in shaded traditional style beds and borders or in woodland settings. The spring flowering Anemone sylvestris is a dear little plant just covered with fragrant, pure white flowers in early spring and then intermittingly with a flower or two for a long period during late spring and summer. The flowers are followed by fluffy white fruits. It is perfect for forming self seeding drifts along the edges of paths and peeking out from under taller trees and shrubs. It does self seed, so if you want to curb its spread, simply remove the seed heads before they get a chance to distribute the seed. The taller, fall flowering Japanese Anemones have a refined elegance that makes them extraordinarily popular with gardeners all over the world. They start to flower in mid to late summer (at a time when most perennials have begun to wane) and continue for 4-6 weeks. Give them a position towards the middle or rear of a partially shaded border, and they will gently lean their heads towards the light and give a stunning display. They are fine plants for locating on the shady side of a tall building or under the light shade of trees. Given the right conditions, they will slowly spread to colonize an area and form a charming, carefree display.

Light Preference
The ones we offer are best in partial shade.

Culture
Anemones thrive in humus rich, fertile soils that are well drained and do not become waterlogged. They require a soil that retains moisture, so at planting time consider incorporating extra peat, composted bark or similar organic media to create a humus rich woodland type soil.

Background
The common name, Windflower, provides a clue to the origin of the naming of these fine plants, for it was said in ancient Greek Mythology that Anemos (the wind) sends his namesakes, the Anemones, in the earliest spring days to herald his coming. After flowering, many produce fluffy seed heads that open and look like cotton wool and the wind aids in seed dispersal. Many interesting stories revolve around their discovery and introduction. One of our favorites is about a French Botanist who obtained some plants in the early 1600's. Wishing to keep them to himself, he refused to sell or part with any plants or even the seeds. Some years later, a famous and influential plants man came to visit. He dropped his coat upon the seed laden plants and when he returned home, many of the seeds had stuck to the coat. These were then sown and the resultant plants distributed!

Splendor Suggestions
The late summer and fall flowering Japanese Anemones dislike cold, chilling winter winds, so in colder parts of Zones 6 & 7, try to find a position that affords some Protection and consider putting down an extra layer of mulch in late autumn to insulate the roots and crowns.

Companion Plants
The neutral white flowers of Anemome sylvestris and the taller and much later flowering A.'Honorine Jobert' will blend with almost everything, so if you are in doubt about color combinations, cultivars like these with neutral shading are always a safe bet. The pink flowering forms are not hard to place either as they combine nicely with Physostegia 'Vivid' (False Dragonhead), Chelone lyonii (Turtle Head), and the Tricyrtis x 'Miyazaki' (Toad Lily).