Japanese anemones put on a stunning show in late summer and early autumn. Open blooms in pale pink or white float on tall stems, above attractive foliage.
Japanese anemones make an ideal choice for growing in woodland locations or beneath trees. They thrive in shade, cope with dry soil and work well in pots.
How to grow Japanese anemones
Grow Japanese anemones in moist but well-drained soil in light shade. Deadhead spent blooms after flowering and tidy up dead foliage in spring. Mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost. Propagate by division or root cuttings.
More on growing Japanese anemones:
- How to propagate Japanese anemones
- 10 of the best plants for autumn colour
- Perennials for cut flowers
Where to plant Japanese anemones
For best results plant in moist but well-drained soil in light shade. Japanese anemones will grow in most soil types, but struggle in really wet winters.
How to plant Japanese anemones
Dig a generous hole and add some well rotted manure or leafmould. Water in well and apply a thick mulch.
Caring for Japanese anemones
Cut back after flowering, and tidy up dead leaves and stalks in March. Mulch annually in spring or autumn. Japanese anemone have a tendency to spread, so divide larger clumps every few years to keep them under control. Do this in autumn or spring – you may find plants sulk when moved, but they should settle and re-establish themselves.
How to propagate Japanese anemones
Divide clumps in early spring or autumn. When dividing plants in autumn, you can also take root cuttings.
In this clip from Gardeners’ World, Carol Klein demonstrates how to propagate Japanese anemones from root cuttings:
Growing Japanese anemones: problem solving
Japanese anemones don’t suffer from any particular pests and diseases.
Japanese anemones to try
- Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ – a classic Japanese anemone, with white, single flowers, tinged with pink on the underside of the petals. It’s perfect for brightening up a shady corner either in a large container or herbaceous border.
- Anemone hupehensis ‘Splendens’ – with pink flowers, this more compact variety, is a good choice for growing in containers or at the front of a sunny border.
- Anemone ‘Tiki sensation’ – an unusual new Japanese anemone with, blousy double flowers that change in colour from blush pink to white.
- Anemone hupehensis var. japonica ‘Pamina’ – large, double, deep pink, cup-shaped flowers appear in July and August. These suit the middle of a partially shady border, but will grow in sun.
- Anemone rupicola ‘Wild Swan’ – pictured at the top of the page. A relatively new discovery believed to be a cross between early and late flowering anemones, so it is not a true Japanese anemone. It’s unusual in flowering intermittently from May to November. Each flower petal has a distinct grey-blue streak on the underside, so when in bud or half closed, they look bluish, but are pure white on opening.
