History

• The modern Japanese anemone is a hybrid that was developed in China during the Tang dynasty (618-907 B.C.). Local gardeners sought to create a late-blooming plant that produced bold, rosy-pink flowers on tall, sturdy stems for cutting. The result is the beloved Japanese anemone, a perennial noted for its beauty and floriferous nature. Each plant produces abundant clusters of shallow-cupped, single or semi-double blossoms featuring bright green, button-like centers surrounded by a circle of canary yellow stamens. The dense foliage is bold and handsome, forming attractive thickets that reach up to 5 feet in height.
  
  

Cultivation

• Plant Japanese anemones in a site that receives full sun in northern climates and light shade in warmer, southern regions. Place seedlings 2 feet apart in holes approximately the same depth as the plant's current container. Though these flowers bloom best when set in soil that is moist, fertile and nutrient-rich, gardeners can easily amend poor soil by working a large amount of organic material into the soil. Surround the base of each plant with a 2-inch layer of mulch. This will help the soil maintain moisture and inhibit the growth of weeds. Check the soil daily for six weeks, adding water as often as necessary to maintain a moist growing environment. Thereafter, water established anemone plants once a week for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, adjusting the schedule as needed in response to local weather conditions.
  
  

Care

• To keep the foliage of the Japanese anemone compact, pinch back the leaves every two weeks from late spring to midsummer.Simply use your thumb and forefinger to break off the last inch or so of the stems, effectively removing the first or second set of leaves. This will result in a sturdier plant that produces bigger fall blooms. Each autumn, after the anemone blooms, spend a few moments removing the faded flowers. Not only does this keep the garden neat, it directs the plants' energy into root development, rather than into the formation of seeds.
  
  

Use

• Japanese anemones contrast nicely when mixed with other fall-blooming flowers, such as blanket flowers, goldenrods and autumn sages, and ornamental grasses. They make a delightful addition to formal flower beds or you can use them to add seasonal color to informal hedges. Their slender stems and large blossoms look excellent in fall floral arrangements.