Japanese anemones (Anemone x hybrida) are popularly called “fall anemones”. These late summer-fall blooming perennials are long-lived and make fine additions to flower borders and open woodland areas (USDA hardiness zones 4 to 7). Many colorful varieties are available and their flowers are great additions to cut floral arrangements.

Showy 2-4 inch wide flowers stand 2-4 feet tall (depending on variety) for 4 to 5 weeks in autumn. Starting in late August flowers rise up atop long wiry stems from dark-green basal mounds. Each flower is composed of 6-9 overlapping white/pink petals with numerous yellow stamens in center. The dark green leaves are 3-lobed.

Fall anemones thrive in garden spaces with full or partial day sunlight and in moist, well-drained ground. At planting time, add lots of compost to a mildly acidic garden soil (pH 5.5 to 7.0 preferred). Fall anemones do poorly on dry sites and in heavy clay soil. Plants also fail in soggy clay soil over winter. Leaves tend to burn in hot, dry, sunny conditions. In warmer climes of zone 7, set fall anemones in morning sun and partial afternoon shade. When planted in too much shade, plants tend to be floppy and require staking.

Plants are mostly deer tolerant and have few disease and insect problems. Flowers attract numerous late season pollinators. From the Greek, the word anemone means “windflower”. Observe the flowers swaying in the gentle autumnal breezes, and do shelter plants on extremely windy sites.

Over time fall anemones tend to naturalize via creeping rhizomes and seed in freely. In the spring dig up extras to share with gardening friends.

5 Cultivars to plant:

‘Honorine Jobert’ (2-3 inch wide single pure white flowers on 3-4 feet tall stems) –heirloom plant introduced in the mid-19^th century and awarded the Perennial Plant of The Year in 2016

‘Queen Charlotte’ (3-inch semi-double rosy pink flower on 2-3 feet tall stems)

‘September Charm’ (3-inch single rose-pink flower on 3-4 feet tall stems)

‘Whirlwind’ (4-inch semi-double white flowers on 3-4 feet tall stems)

‘Serenade’ (3-inch double deep-pink blooms on 3-3.5 feet tall stems)