Fall blooming anemones are one of the delights of the garden in the later season. The flowers of these perennials sit atop tall stems and sway in the breeze, which led to their common name ‘windflower.’

The genus anemone contains over 120 species across all temperate areas. The name comes from the Greek ‘daughter of the wind.’ Many anemones found in the garden are also called ‘Japanese anemones’ even though they are not originally from Japan. Truthfully, they originated on mainland China but because naturalized in the Japanese landscape. Other species of fall blooming anemones include A. tomentosa, A. vitifolia and A. x hybringa.

 

 

We have four hybrid varieties of fall blooming anemones available, some are white and some pink. A clump of light pink anemones is just starting to bloom in the front garden here at Urban Roots. The plants will successively flower for as long as two months, even past the first few frosts of fall.

 

 

Anemones prefer a part shade to shady environment. where the soil stays moist. Both drought and soil saturation will stress the plants, so make sure there is adequate soil drainage when planting. Anemones spread by rhizomes and will form a large patch with time. They are easy to divide and spring is the best time to do so. In cold climates (like Buffalo!) mulching anemones, especially young plants, will help them survive winter months.