Japanese Anemone
As summer sinks into fall, colors fade, foliage dries and seedheads ripen, and it’s easy for gardens to droop into dullness. But there’s one plant whose lush mound of foliage sits quietly all summer patiently preparing to release an anthem of gleeful and glorious flowers in the late season. To witness these buoyant beauties reaching skyward is heartening—and motivation enough to linger a little longer outdoors.
The elegant, saucer-shaped flower of Japanese anemone is charming like its cousin, the spring-flowering windflower, and the wide, delicate petals are unlike most other fall-blooming flowers. It begins blooming mid- to late summer and can last for up to two months, often until the first frost.
Look how ‘Whirlwind’ adds a playful touch when combined with ‘Henry I’ New York aster at left. The frilly centers brighten a border and their long-awaited appearance hits you with a bit of surprise. It’s common for some varieties to spread into clumps and create an impactful sight. Japanese anemone is invaluable for keeping the romance alive at the end of the growing
