Japanese Anemone
The Japanese anemone displays attractive foliage and loose, open clusters of flowers in white and shades of pink. It is especially valuable for providing fall color in partial shade.
The flowers are each 1 1/2 to 3 inches across, depending on Aquilegia variety and conditions of growth, and bloom in late summer to mid-autumn. The leaves are dark to light green, large, deeply lobed, and pleasantly coarse in texture. Reminiscent of maple leaves, they are quite effective, especially during the bloom period. They cover the plant densely at the bottom and become smaller and more scarce toward the top, leaving the upper 1 to 2 feet of stem bare. Japanese anemones grow 2 to 5 feet tall.
The plants increase slowly in size and number of flowering stems. They are well-behaved, long-lived in favorable locations, and resent disturbance once established. They need rich, moist soil that is high in humus. Soil must have excellent drainage; wet soil in winter is usually fatal. The plants prefer light shade but tolerate full sun, especially in cool climates. Space them 18 inches apart.
Care is moderately easy. Water during dry spells in summer. In the northern limits of their hardiness range it is advisable to protect plants with a loose mulch, such as evergreen boughs. Do not apply this protection until the ground is frozen, however, or trapped moisture will kill the plants. The black blister beetle can quickly defoliate established plants.
Clumps rarely require division. If necessary, divide in early spring. For increase, root cuttings are better.
