Plant care & info

Genus: Anemone

Common names: Windflower, Japanese Anemone

120 species from throughout the temperate regions of the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

In general, Anemone do best in woodland conditions with light, cool, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. If your soil is a little warmer, increase watering slightly. Many species are flexible about soil conditions, but all do require good drainage. Japanese anemones require at least 4 hours of sunlight.

Largely pest and disease free. Creatures fond of Anemone species include slugs and snails. A slug bait such as Sluggo will deter snails and slugs.

Grooming and staking may be necessary. Deadhead to prevent excessive reseeding if desired.

Attracts bees, butterflies and beneficial insects. Cut flowers and long blooming season. Deer resistant. Tolerates moist soil.

For autumn flowering types, propagate by root cuttings in spring. Fall transplanting is usually unsuccessful with this type. Young plants or transplants are sometimes slow to get started but are usually abundant and spreading by year three. With spring flowering types divide the tubers once the plant goes dormant for the summer. Seeds are ready to sow as soon as they are ripe.

The fluffy flowers of Anemone coronaria offer some of the first rich colors in early spring. These crepe paper-like flowers are wonderful in containers or as a little gift that will surely bring a smile. Also in spring, woodland species carpet shady to part sun areas with nickel to quarter sized flowers in shades of white, blue and green.

These species can spread slowly over time to create a naturalized fairy land. Accenting white Anemone blanda with bright tulips makes a fun combination when planted en masse. The result is a terrific, florific spring display! Since spring blooming anemone goes dormant in summer, it is best to combine with something that has year round or summer interest such as mondo grass or ferns.

Most recent introductions of the ‘Swan Series’ offer stunning lavender and white bicolored blooms. This group on anemone bridges the gap with blooms June to frost.

In early autumn, tall stalks of blushed white or pink flowers wave in the breeze. Anemone japonica and hybrids add much needed color to the late season shade garden. The height of taller varieties combines well with low growing Heuchera or evergreen shrubs. Compact varieties can add a floral punch to the border where spring blooming perennials are spent.

Explore More Windflower

Grecian Windflower

Anemone Blanda: Grecian Windflower

Diminutive, daisy-like flowers of blue, pink and white, 2-4″ above dark green leathery foliage in April and May.

Grown from tubers planted in the fall, or growing plants in the spring. They will self-seed once established, eventually carpeting their spot in the semi-shady garden. Zones 4-8.

Poppy Anemone

Anemone Coronaria: Poppy Anemone

A tender perennial planted in fall from tuber, or spring from plants. These 10-12” beauties have a more poppy-shaped flower in an array of jewel-like shades of red, pink, blue, purple and white.

Varieties come in both single and double flowers, and provide a kaleidoscope of color in your springtime sunny (or partly sunny) garden.

Good drainage is essential. Zones 8-10.

Japanese Anemone

Anemone x hybrida: Japanese Anemone

These are the graceful white and pink stands of 2-4’ tall and wide plants that help the late-summer and early-autumn garden come alive after the heat of high summer. Newer varieties are more compact and can blend well into smaller spaces. It’s no accident that many think of this as the “best of the fall flowers!” Zones 5-8.

Some of our favorite Japanese Anemones include:

Anemone x hybrida: Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’
Single white flowers with yellow eye.

‘Fantasy Pocahontas’
Compact variety with double light pink flowers August through October. Grows 18-24″ tall 24″ wide in full sun to part shade.

‘Lucky Charm’
This variety sports purple new leaves in early spring.
Rich rosy pink single blooms in late summer into fall.
Grows 30-36″ tall.

‘Pretty Lady Diana’
Compact reaching 16″ tall and 24″ wide. Frilly medium pink flowers August to October.

‘September Charm’
Pale to deep pink single flowers with yellow eye.

‘Whirlwind’
Double white flowers with slightly twisted petals.