Anemone x hybrida

Japanese Anemone
Ranunculaceae
Perennials, Flowers

ANEMONE

Anemone includes rich and varied group of plants ranging in size from alpine rock garden miniatures to tall Japanese anemones grown in borders; bloom extends from very early spring to fall, depending on species.

Most of the anemones described here have fibrous roots or creeping rhizomes or rootstocks, but Anemone blanda, Anemone coronaria, and Anemone x fulgens are grown from tubers requiring special attention. Set out Anemone blanda in fall; where winter temperatures drop below –10°F/ –23°C, apply a thick mulch after first hard frost. Plant Anemone coronaria and Anemone x fulgens in fall where they are hardy in the ground; in cooler regions, plant in early spring. In warmer climates, some gardeners soak tubers for a few hours before planting.

Plant tubers scarred side up (look for depressed scar left by base of last year’s stem), setting them 1–2 in. deep and 8–12 in. apart in rich, light, well-drained loam. Or start in flats of damp sand; set out in garden when stems area few inches tall. Keep soil moist during growth and bloom. Protect from birds until leaves toughen. In high-rainfall areas, excess moisture induces rot.

Tuberous types are best treated as annuals in rainy-summer or warm-winter climates, where they tend to be short lived. Tuberous anemones make good container plants.

Anemone x hybrida

Long-lived, fibrous-rooted perennial indispensable for fall flower color. Graceful, branching stems 2–4 ft. high rise from clump of three- to five-lobed leaves covered with soft hairs. Single or semidouble flowers in white, silvery pink, or rose. Many named varieties are available.

Slow to establish, but once started it spreads readily if roots are not disturbed. Space plants 2 ft. apart. May need staking. Mulch in fall where winters are severe. Increase by divisions in fall or early spring or by root cuttings in spring. Effective in clumps in front of tall shrubbery or under high--branching trees.

'Andrea Atkinson'

Grows 2 ft. tall and wide (5 ft. tall in bloom). This variety has semidouble white flowers with chartreuse centers surrounded by a little halo of yellow anthers.

'Honorine Jobert'

Grows 2 ft. tall and wide (5 ft. in bloom), with white flowers, green center surrounded by yellow-orange anthers. Leaves are dark green, maple shaped.

'Pamina'

Grows 2 ft. tall, 18 in. wide, 3 ft. tall in flower. Double flowers are rose red, with a central brush of yellow stamens.

'Serenade'

Grows 1 ft. tall, 1 to 2 ft. wide, with flowers rising 2 ft. Blooms are double, deep pink.