October Perennial of the Month-Anemone
One of the most popular perennials for late season are anemones (Anemone spp., hybrids, and cvs.) or windflowers. Often called Japanese anemones, this perennial usually comes in pink or white blooms that seem to float on airy stems 3-4′ above their leafy rosettes. Although they prefer full sun, it’s one of those perennials that tolerate partial shade well and still flowers. Anemones like rich, evenly moist, yet well-drained soils, and when happy in the garden, will spread by rhizomes to the point where they can be a nuisance, so be careful. Some cultivars are well-known “Garden Thugs.”
Several cultivars are available in the trade, including Missouri Botanical Garden’s Plant of Merit winner, ‘Honorine Jobert’, a white blooming version with the typical 4′ high stems. This is one to be careful with since it can take over.
Prince Heinrich’ (sometimes sold as ‘Prince Henry’) is a var. japonica cultivar with semi-double rose pink flowers on 2-3′ stems.
Anemone virginiana is a spring-blooming Missouri native commonly called thimbleweed due to the thimble-like cone in the middle of the white flowers. It grows to 2′.
‘Elfin Swan’ is another white cultivar that grows to 2′ but blooms in late summer/early fall.
‘White Swan’ and ‘Fantasy Jasmine’ are two that claim to be well-behaved in the garden.
What I love about this plant:
-Good for the late-season garden.
-Deer tolerant.
-Dwarf cultivars are available.
-Great cut flower.
-Anemone can be used to “naturalize” in a garden setting, meaning it can reproduce without human interference and spread outside of its original planting location.
What’s not so great:
-Although it tolerates part shade, be prepared for lots of leaning as the flower stems reach the sun if you go with the taller cultivars.
-Anemones, like mentioned above, can be used to “naturalize” in a garden setting, meaning it can reproduce without human interference and spread outside of its original planting location. AKA-beware and keep an eye on them or they can take over a garden bed. If trying to remove them, dig up the rhizomes completely.
-Leaf spot and powdery mildew can be issues, along with caterpillars, slugs, and nematodes.
Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2024, All rights reserved.
