Gardening Tips

Japanese Anemones (x hybrida)

This is the season for the wonderful perennial known as Japanese Anemones to flower. The long stocks of the flower shoot up to 4 feet tall. They do range in height from 2-4 feet with an incredible flower. They are not a cut flower, but make a wonderful back drop to any partial shade garden. They are one of the best plants for late summer and fall color with their brilliant flowers in colors of dark pinks, pale pinks, and white.

The Japanese Anemones x hybrida originated in China and was found in Japan in the 17th Century giving it its name. Three popular varieties were developed in the 19th Century: Honorine Jobert, Whirlwind, and Konigin Charlotte. These varieties produce the best of the colors and new varieties are gaining notoriety for their even richer color of dark pink and lilac. They are easy to grow and can be slightly evasive in your yard if you let them.
Japanese Anemones grow in sun/partial shade gardens. Grow them in the USDA zones 4 through 8. They work great under trees and as backdrops in the yard. They like to be protected by larger vegetation or by built structures. The leaf of the plant is around all year and is about 1 foot from the ground. It is a large soft petal from 2-5 inches wide. A stem grows from the ground and is tipped with a leaf. In the late summer the stocks of the flower grows from 2 to 5 feet tall. They are topped with multiple flowers and small leafs. The flowers petals are small 1 inch in diameter and there are 5 petals that are fanned out.

Growing Tips

• Sun/Partial shade
• Protected from sun and wind
• Well drained soil
• Keep watered but don’t over do it
• Acidic Soil ranging from 4.6-6.0
• Lime in the soil is recomended
• After two years the plant will produce and spread
• You can divide in the Winter and the Spring