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Japanese Anemones: A Beginner’s Guide
What are Japanese Anemones?
Japanese anemones are beautiful flowers that bloom in late summer and early autumn. They have pale pink or white flowers that float on tall stems above attractive foliage.
Benefits of Growing Japanese Anemones
- Provide a splash of color when other plants are dying down
- Attract pollinators, especially bumblebees
How to Grow Japanese Anemones
- Soil: Moist but well-drained soil in light shade
- Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot the plant is in and add organic matter to the base. Plant at the same depth as it was in the pot.
- Watering: Water well after planting and apply a thick mulch to retain moisture.
- Care: Deadhead spent blooms, tidy up dead foliage in spring, and mulch annually.
Propagating Japanese Anemones
The easiest way to propagate Japanese anemones is by division. Simply dig up the plant and divide the rootball into sections.
Controlling Japanese Anemones
Japanese anemones can spread easily, so it’s important to control their growth. Remove new shoots as they appear and divide established clumps every few years.
Varieties of Japanese Anemones
- Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’: Classic white flowers with pink undersides
- Anemone hupehensis ‘Splendens’: Compact variety with pink flowers, good for containers
- Anemone `Tiki Sensation’: Unique double flowers that change color from pink to white
- Anemone hupehensis var. japonica ‘Pamina’: Large, deep pink, cup-shaped flowers
- Anemone rupicola ‘Wild Swan’: Intermittent blooming from May to November, with bluish petals
Troubleshooting Japanese Anemones
- Yellowing or browning leaves: Dry soil. Water deeply and apply mulch.
- White, dusty coating on leaves: Powdery mildew. Remove affected leaves and ensure even moisture.
- Brown, holey leaves: Eelworms. Remove affected leaves or leave them for birds and wasps to control.
