Exploring Anemones

If you’re looking for a plant that will take you easily from summer into fall, you may want to consider exploring anemones.

Many years ago, at the local garden club plant sale, I purchased my first anemone.  It was anemone “Robustissima” and, as the name implies, this once small and innocent-looking plant soon became a huge presence in my late summer garden.  Indeed, left to its own devices, “Robustissima” can easily take over a garden bed, so I’ve learned to hack it back every spring in order to keep it in bounds.  In spite of its vigorous nature and large size, growing over time to a height and width of 40 inches, the pink to mauve blooms have a most delicate appearance and blend especially well with my other late summer bloomers such as coneflowers and black-eyed Susans.

Planted in a spot underneath our family room window, my original “Robustissima” receives even moisture, morning sun and afternoon shade, perfect conditions for anemones.  Serendipitously, as the plant sends up its tall flower stalks, the flowers can easily be seen from inside the house, a thrill I enjoy all through August and September.  The long bloom period even lasts well into fall along with sedums and asters.

There are many different types of anemones with a bloom range from early spring to fall.  Also known as windflowers, because the long-stalked flowers sway in the breeze, they add care-free charm to any garden.  My earliest blooming anemone, the Grecian windflower or anemone blanda, lights up the garden in spring.   Anemone sylvestris or snowdrop windflower blooms here in May and tends to freely spread itself around; however, it’s far too lovely to ever be called a nuisance and volunteers are always welcome!

Late summer and early fall bring their own spectacular anemone varieties in colors that range from pure white to purple. You may even recognize some by name.  Reaching 36 inches tall, robust “Richard Ahrens” has soft pink flowers which begin blooming in July and continue through September.  “Honorine Jobert” is a silky white-flowered heirloom dating back to the 1850s which also grows quite tall and blooms from mid-summer to fall.  “September Charm” blooms into October and is a slightly shorter pretty-in-pink variety dating back to the early 1930s , while another late-bloomer, “Bressingham Glow,” has deeper rose-pink blooms.

Some facts about late-blooming anemones:

• Anemones grow best in hardiness zones 4 to 8
• They prefer afternoon shade but will tolerate full sun given adequate moisture
• They are well suited to woodland and old-fashioned cottage gardens
• Their colors complement other late-summer to fall bloomers
• Most are vigorous and care-free
• They make great companions for fall shrubs or other large plants such as hydrangeas, cimicifuga, goldenrod and ornamental grasses
• Anemones attract pollinators
• Deer and rabbit resistant, disease and pest resistant, salt tolerant

For an in-depth look at fall-blooming anemones including specific plant variety characteristics, overall performance and bloom periods, click on the link below:

https://www.chicagobotanic.org/downloads/planteval_notes/no25_anemones.pdf

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