Fall flowering perennials have come into their own in recent years. The latest developments in chrysanthemums and hardy asters are outstanding, and it appears that more riotously colorful things are expected in the future.
While this fall garden renaissance has been going on, in some quarters, there has been a tendency to overlook or forget the airy exquisiteness and charm of such fall flowers as Japanese anemones.
Some gardeners of my acquaintance have never grown these plants and therefore have no knowledge of their garden beauty or usefulness as cut flowers with excellent lasting quality.
Fortunately, however, the nurserymen and hybridists—notably the late Alex Cumming—have not neglected these beautiful plants but have been busy developing new and different varieties and improving their stocks of the best standard sorts.
The selection of Japanese anemones available to lovers of truly charming flowers is better today than at any time in the past.
Wide Range Of Anemone Colors
The colors of these anemones range from clean, milky white through silvery pinks to deep pastel shades of rose and soft carmine. True, this is not a wide range of colors, but every color is clear, fresh, and delightful.
Combined with the delicately attractive shapes of the flowers, they place them among the most beautiful plants you could add to your fall garden.
Anemone Hupehensis var. Japonica
ANEMONE JAPONICA HUPEHENSIS (or A. J. HUPEH) is a favorite in many an old-tittle garden. Its origin is obscure, but the single flowers are a soft, indescribable pink, borne in clusters on stout stems.
There is no such thing as a poor Japanese anemone, and Hupehensis though an old variety, is still worth a place in any collection.
Anemone Hupehensis ‘Superba’
Hupehensis SUPERBA is a newer development, said to be the most effective form of this variety. It is a lovely light rosy pink inside and reddish pink outside. It grows 24” to 30” inches high.
September Sprite
For anyone just starting to grow anemones, I’d certainly recommend a trial of the three “September” varieties developed by the late Alex Cumming.
A particular favorite of mine is a tiny gem for the rock garden or along the edge of a perennial border.
The flowers are soft, silvery pink held jauntily above dark green foliage, which will remind you of maple leaves. The reverse of the petals is a deeper grayish-rose, which gives a fascinating two-tone effect to the clumps as a whole.
September Charm
Another newcomer is SEPTEMBER CHARM, more extensive and sturdier than September Sprite and adaptable to the hardy border or a semi-shaded informal garden spot. The flowers of both these varieties are single.
September Queen
SEPTEMBER QUEEN has nearly double, deep carmine-pink flowers borne on stiff, 12” to 15” inch stems. The foliage is, in every case, extraordinarily handsome and free from insect injury.
Anemone Margarete
A full-double form of the old-fashioned fall anemone is MARGARETE, good dark pink. The individual flowers are 3” inches in diameter, blooming in early September in the Northeast and continuing through the first frosts.
Anemone Japonica ‘Alba’
ANEMONE JAPONICA ALBA (also sold tinder the name HONARINE JOBERT) is one of the tallest varieties I know, often growing to 3 ½’ feet tall.
The flowers are pure warm white, single, and produced in great masses. Like all Japanese anemones, it is very effective when grown against a weathered stone wall or any neutral-colored background.
Anemone x hybrida ‘Whirlwind’
WHIRLWIND has semi-double, pure white flowers with contrasting stamens. It is easily one of the most popular varieties in commerce, a position it has held for over 20 years.
It is usually 8” or 10” inches shorter than Japonica Alba, though it has been known to grow just as tall under some conditions.
Anemone Queen Charlotte
QUEEN CHARLOTTE is another old-time favorite. The single flowers are soft rosy pink with a darker contrasting reverse. Its growth habit is similar to Whirlwind’s and makes a fine companion for that variety.
Kriemhilde Japanese Anemone
KRIEMHILDE, the last on this list, is a large flowered semi-double pink of particularly robust growth. Its fantastic show of color makes it effective in the background of the perennial border.
How To Grow Anemones?
The culture of Japanese anemones is simple once their few requirements are understood and met.
Ordinary good garden soil that is well-drained will do. But the finest specimens I have ever seen were grown in dark rich wood soil. This is understandable when you consider that they are only a few generations removed from the wild.
They prefer light shade, with full sunshine as a second choice. Water them freely during dry weather, and they will reward you with larger flowers produced freely on more stately stalks.
These anemones seem to prefer the protection of larger plants: a wail or other sheltered spot.
This is not because of stem weaknesses, for seldom will you find any plant that will stand up better broader difficult conditions, but they are more profuse in bloom, and the plants are more prolific under such conditions. Except in the warmer parts of the country, plants should be set out in the spring.
Light winter protection of leaves or straw is needed wherever frost enters the ground to a depth of a foot or more, however, with reasonable care and heavy winter protection. They have proved completely hardy as far north as southern New Hampshire.
Japanese anemones have one peculiar little trait which should be called to your attention if you are growing them for the first time.
They are very late in breaking through the ground in the spring. Often they don’t show up until well into May.
This fact, with careless cultivating, has led to the destruction of many a fine clump of these desirable plants.
When I put mine to bed for the winter, I carefully mark the area with inconspicuous stakes, which remain there until the warm spring sun brings its promise of increasing glory for the early autumn days.
I do not know about any disease which affects Japanese anemones, and the only insect pests that bother them are the root nematode and the gray aster beetle.
The first is generally avoided by buying clean plants from a reputable dealer, and an occasional light dusting of ordinary Sevin garden dust easily controls the second.
This is a small price to pay for the incredible display of beauty you will enjoy next fall and for many more if you plant Japanese anemones this spring.
44659 by John S. Callagher