Description
The Japanese anemone is a perennial of the buttercup family, a hybrid of two species: Anemone hupehensis from China and Anemone vitifolia from the western Himalayas. Depending on the variety it grows 40 to 150 cm tall. The plants spread vigorously, forming thick, fleshy, creeping rhizomes and roots that reach deep into the soil. Stiff stems, branched at the base, bear three-lobed, pinnate, roughly hairy leaves.
It flowers from August to October. The flowers grow from the axils of the upper leaves on branching, softly hairy stalks. Depending on the variety they may be white, pink, red or pale violet, single or double. Underneath they are silky-hairy and usually a slightly different, more intense colour.
They can be planted in perennial borders or in groups on lawns. They are excellent as cut flowers.
Requirements
Plant in fertile, fairly moist soil, ideally in lightly shaded places but not under trees.
Propagation
Japanese anemone is propagated by dividing the strongly woody clumps in early spring. It can also be grown from seed.
Care
It is best planted in autumn. It overwinters fairly well, but young plants should be covered for winter during their first two years after planting.