Sometime in the past, Anemones were brought from their native China to Japan, where they naturalized in the wild. There, these lovely fall-blooming plants were discovered by European plant collectors and were mistakenly identified as Japanese native. These Japanese Anemones are long-lived and relatively low maintenance.
Charming Late Summer Blooms
They range in height from 2'-3' (60 cm -90 cm). Gardeners can reduce the plant's height by cutting it back in early June. One of the great assets of these plants is their blooming time. They begin to flower in mid-to-late August and continue to do so until the first frosts -- covering the time when summer blooms fade until the fall blooms start.
How to Plant and Care
Japanese anemone plants grow in nearly any well-drained soil, but they are happiest in rich, loose soil. Mix a little compost or rotted manure into the soil at planting time. Although Japanese Anemone plants tolerate full sunlight, they appreciate a lightly shaded area where they are protected from intense sunlight – especially in hot climates. They won’t tolerate dry soil for long periods of time. A layer of bark chips or other mulch keeps the roots cool and moist.
Japanese anemone plants are spreading by underground runners. It may take a year or two for a Japanese Anemone to get fully established. A place where the plant is free to spread is ideal, for example, when establishing a new garden bed that hasn't many plants yet. A large blooming group looks best! Half a dozen or more is very showy in late summer, early fall!
They are deer and rabbit "resistant" -- but I wouldn't bet on it -- better have a dog around...
Japanese Anemone and Aster Combination
Where to Find This Plant:
Garden Centers may almost never show this plant, but Japanese Anemone may be available at your local greenhouse or nursery. Otherwise, it’s easy to divide mature plants or take root cuttings in early spring.