How to grow Japanese Anemones

Last updated on April 3rd, 2022

If you want to have a late summer flowering garden, Japanese Anemones are a great addition. The flowers are held up on wiry stems and can be found in a variety of colours including pink, lavender, and white. You can find single or double flowers, all of which have yellow centres. They’ve been nicknamed the ‘Windflower’ because of how easily they dance in the wind.

These particular flowers differ from bulbing Anemones that otherwise bloom in spring. The Japanese Anemone is a perennial that flowers in the autumn so you can enjoy a range of colour at the end of summer, as long as you have an area that has moist soil with partial sun.

Native to China, these flowers were heavily cultivated in Japanese Gardens where they were seen first by European explorers during the 17th century. The late summer flowers and the dark green foliage that danced with the wind made them particularly attractive. They grow well in full sun or partial shade and can be quite tall so they will fill up the back of a layered space effectively. They spread via rhizomes but, you can remove errant plants easily in the spring.

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Where to Plant Japanese Anemones

If you live in a colder area, you should plant your Japanese Anemones close to a structure such as a fence or a wall, or a house so that they have extra protection against the winter weather. They make great perennials to plant along the border of your home or outdoor shed. If you don’t have such a space available you can grow them in a large container suitable to the size of the root system (once fully established) and place them in areas like patios or balconies where they still get that added protection thanks to the structures around the containers. 

Anemone Japonica Queen Charlotte

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When to Plant

You should plant new Japanese Anemones in the spring once there is no longer a risk of frost. The roots don’t like to dry out so you need to make sure wherever you plant them they will be able to stay moist, something you can provide with a little extra mulch. They do best with humus-rich soil and a mixture of compost. If you are planting more than one, space them out approximately 1/2 metre from one another because they do quickly fill out and area.

They prefer moist well-drained soil

As long as the soil is well-drained and stays moist, Japanese Anemones are quite forgiving. This means you don’t need to go out of your way to test the pH level or amend slightly sandy or clay-like soil. However, you still need to give them some regular care no matter the soil type. 

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Maintaining Japanese Anemones

Firstly, they will need compost in the spring. Secondly, to help with moisture retention and to prevent weeds from taking over you should add bark mulch every season around the base of the plant.

Support taller varieties with canes

Some varieties of Japanese Anemones can grow to over one metre in height and if you have the double-flowered varieties you might need to add some canes or some sort of support to prevent them from falling over.

Dividing plants

They will spread runners underground so after the first few years, you can divide an existing plant and transplant them elsewhere. To do this dig up the entire plant at the beginning of spring, divide them into fist-sized new plants, and replant them in similar conditions.

Learn more about dividing Japanese Anemones in this guide here

Winter care

In the winter, when the frost has killed the plants, you can cut them back to ground level and add compost over the top. Rest assured, they will come back in the spring just fine.

They do best when you grow them in groups and give them room to spread. They will also attract butterflies so you can add them to a wildlife garden or other woodland area where they can be allowed to spread naturally. If you need to pair them with other plants to fill the garden space, you can choose from ornamental grasses, hosta, and even monkshood, just to name a few.

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Recommended Varieties

• If you want a white coloured variety that is an heirloom flower, “Honorine Jobert” is best. 
• If you want a double, rose-pink variety, choose “Bressingham Glow”.
• For more limited space, there is a white variety that is slightly smaller called “Whirlwind”.
• If you want a touch of lavender, you can grow the “Kriemhilde”.
• For pink, semi-double flowers, try “Max Vogel”.

Image credits – shutterstock.com

Last update on 2024-10-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API