Lighting up the flower garden for two to three months, from July to October, anemones are invaluable perennials. The beautiful, round flowers – single and double forms in shades of white, pink and rose – are produced in open sprays on thin stems that move in the slightest breeze, hence their other common name of windflower.
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Preceding the blooms, handsome, vine-like foliage is produced in the spring and remains clean and presentable through the summer. This foliage makes a useful anchor around which more ephemeral plants can combine, and is a good foil for early flowers.
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- How to grow and plant Japanese anemones
- When to cut back Japanese anemones
- When do Japanese anemones flower
- When to plant Japanese anemones
- When to divide
- How to care for Japanese anemones
- Where to plant Japanese anemones
- Japanese anemones problems
- The best Japanese anemones varieties
- Where to see and buy Japanese anemones
The flowers are inevitably the main draw of Japanese anemones, but perhaps their most enduring feature is the excellent foliage that emerges in late spring and continues to look smart through summer into the autumn months. The more vigorous cultivars make good groundcover plants when used en masse and will make a solid carpet of leaves.
In the flower garden, these vigorous cultivars should be kept away from plantings where they might become difficult to control and tangle with more sensitive plants. Although all anemones will slowly spread, some, such as Anemone hupehensis var. japonica ‘Pamina’ and the Swan Series, are far less aggressive. These make excellent plants for the flower border, where tidy foliage is so important.
Anemone is a diverse genus of approximately 100 species of tuberous and fibrous-rooted perennials, mostly from the northern hemisphere, and in the family Ranunculaceae. Horticulturally, the genus can be split into three groups based on their root stalks and growth habit, but here, we have been primarily concerned with the so-called Japanese anemones, which have a fibrous root habit.
In fact, the common name given to the group is misleading, and refers to a mixed-up group of closely related species–none of which actually originate from Japan.
How to grow and plant Japanese anemones
When to cut back Japanese anemones
Japanese anemones require little attention until the winter, when they need to be cut right back to the ground. Taller cultivars can be prone to flopping (particularly in shade). The stems are generally quite strong. The point of weakness is quite close to the ground, so they require only short canes and a ring of twine taking in the outer stems to keep them upright.
When do Japanese anemones flower?
Anemones can take time to establish, but once they have a foothold, they’ll form strong clumps with slowly spreading rhizomes and flower between July and October. They’re not speedy colonisers, but in time they can out-compete more submissive perennials. This sturdy habit can be a useful asset in places where a tough, low-maintenance groundcover is called for.
When to divide or move Japanese anemones
Increase by division in autumn, and establish the splits in pots before replanting in the garden, otherwise plants will sulk. Commercially, they are often raised from root cuttings in pots. Seed is an option and is best sown as soon as it is ripe on to a loam-based seed compost. Cover with sharp grit to hold down the fluffy seed, and place in a cold frame.
When to plant Japanese anemones
Japanese anemones are relatively easy to cultivate. They can be planted at any time of the year, provided they are nurtured during dry periods while establishing. Autumn is best as it will provide the anemones with the opportunity to establish root growth while the soil is still warm. This will help plants to cope should the spring and early summer be on the dry side.
Where to plant Japanese anemones
They prefer moist, free-draining, alkaline soils, but will thrive in most conditions (except very wet soils) and once established can be hard to remove.
How to plant Japanese anemones
Before planting, prepare the ground well with garden compost dug and mixed into the existing soil. Be sure to consolidate the soil firmly as they do not like to sit in wet, spongy soils, particularly during the cold winter months.
How to care for Japanese anemones
All do well in light to medium shade or full sun, provided they have adequate moisture. In dim light, compact cultivars such as Anemones. x hybrida ‘Serenade’ are best, as taller forms can be prone to falling over.
Japanese anemones problems
Generally, anemones suffer little from pests and diseases. Stem rot can cause sporadic damage and infected material should be removed and burned, but it rarely subdues the plant completely. Nematodes can also be an issue. The key to success seems to be good garden soil and leave the plants to their own devices.
Fact file
What A group of Asian perennial species and hybrids that currently fall within the genus Anemone. Known collectively as Japanese anemones (although none actually originate in Japan), they are also known as autumn-flowering anemones and windflowers.
Season From summer to October, depending on species.
Size From 80cm to 1.2m high, depending on species, with a spreading habit.
Conditions Sun or part shade, in any good soil except saturated soils. Origins Eastern Asia from northeast Pakistan to Taiwan. Hardiness Hardy throughout the UK with an RHS hardiness rating of H6-H7 and suitable for gardens in USDA zones 5a to 8b.
*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. †Hardiness ratings given where available.
The best Japanese anemones to grow in your garden
Anemone Elfin Swan (= ‘Macane017’)
A compact cultivar with large, attractive, palmate leaves. Masses of white flowers with blue backs are produced on sturdy, upright stems. A good clump-former for rich soils. Height and spread: 50cm x 50cm. RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b†.
Anemone hupehensis var. japonica ‘Pamina’
Its flowers, though smaller and less numerous than others, are perhaps the prettiest of the group. Produced in loose clusters, the semi-double blooms are a good dark pink. Slow to bulk up but worth the wait. 80cm x 40cm. AGM*. RHS H7, USDA 5a-8b.
Anemone hupehensis ‘Hadspen Abundance’
Small, dark-pink petals alternate with larger, paler ones, surrounding a green disc and yellow ruff of stamens. Strong-growing and relatively compact, with irregular petals that add to its charm. 80cm x 60cm. RHS H7, USDA 5a-8b.
Anemone x hybrida ‘Serenade’
A long-flowering cultivar, producing masses of pink semi-double blooms from late July into October. It has neat foliage, a shorter habit and does not spread as vigorously as some varieties. 60cm x 50cm. RHS H7, USDA 5a-8b.
Anemone Blushing Swan (= ‘Macane002’)
A new cultivar with soft-pink flowers from Elizabeth MacGregor’s Swan Series. Clump-forming and early flowering, it has an upright habit. It needs a good well-drained soil with lots of moisture. 60cm x 40cm. RHS H6, USDA 4a-8b.
Anemone x hybrida ‘Loreley’
A pretty cultivar with large, semi-double, cupped, pale- rose flowers and neat foliage. Combines well with sedums and pennisetums. Vigorous and trouble-free once established. 70cm x 70cm. RHS H7, USDA 5a-8b.
Anemone hupehensis var. japonica ‘Prinz Heinrich’
Flowers with thin, quill-like petals are in a dark shade of rose pink. Less vigorous than others and ideal for the front of the border, where it looks particularly good when combined with cool blues. 70cm x 70cm. RHS H7, USDA 5a-8b.
Anemone x hybrida ‘Whirlwind’
A succession of semi- double, white flowers are held above neat foliage on thin stems. The flowers are self-cleaning; the old petals shed completely so as not to spoil the show. 80cm x 80cm. RHS H7.
Anemone Dainty Swan (= ‘Macane005’)
Semi-double flowers with conspicuous pink banding on the backs of the petals on distinctly dark-maroon- pink stems. Makes neat mounds of clean foliage and likes rich, moist soil. 45cm x 40cm. RHS H6.
Anemone x hybrida ‘Robustissima’
A vigorous cultivar that makes mounds of handsome, vine-like foliage, above which large muddy- pink flowers are held on tall stems. Useful where groundcover is needed. 1.2m x 60cm. RHS H7.
Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’
Large, pure-white, single flowers are held in loose bunches from late summer. Raised in France in the 1850s, this is still one of the most acclaimed cultivars. 1.2m x 1.2m. AGM. RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b.
Anemone Ruffled Swan (= ‘Macane007’)
Flowering continuously from mid-June to late October, this selection is taller than Wild Swan (see right), and has semi-double flowers. It has the same beautiful white petals with blue backs. 80cm x 40cm. RHS H6, USDA 5a-9b.
Anemone Wild Swan (= ‘Macane001’)
Large, cupped, white flowers, each with blue banding on the backs of petals, close at dusk and reopen in the morning. The first of the Swan Series, it was Chelsea Plant of the Year in 2011. 45cm x 45cm. RHS H6, USDA 5a-9b.
Where to see and buy
Ballyrobert Gardens, 154 Ballyrobert Road, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim BT39 9RT. Tel 02893440101, ballyrobertgardens.com
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens Clacton Road, Elmstead Market, Elmstead, Colchester, Essex CO7 7DB.
Tel 01206 822007, bethchatto.co.uk
Elizabeth MacGregor Nursery Ellenbank, Tongland Road, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway DG6 4UU. Tel 01557 330620, elizabethmacgregornursery.co.uk
