The Best Anemone for Fall Flowers

Japanese Anemones

• Japanese or Chinese anemones (Anemone hupehensis) are native to China. They grow to a height of 1 ½ to 2 feet with dark green leaves, an upright growth habit and flowers produced on branching stems. Their flowers are 2 to 3 inches across with five to seven rose-pink petals and yellow centers. “Bodnant Burgundy” (Anemone hupehensis var. japonica “Bodnant Burgundy”) is a Japanese anemone cultivar or cultivated variety. It grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet with 2- to 3-inch diameter single-form burgundy flowers. Both of these types of anemones begin blooming in late summer and continue through fall.

Japanese Anemone Hybrids

• Japanese anemone hybrids (Anemone x hybrida) begin blooming in August and continue until first frost. The plants are similar to the species in growth habit and form but can be between 1 and 5 feet tall, depending on the hybrid. Their flowers have yellow centers with petals in white or various shades of pink ranging from pale pink to carmine or deep purple-red. Flower form can be single, semi-double or fully double and the size is usually between 2 and 4 inches in diameter. “Honorine Jobert” (Anemone x hybrida “Honorine Jobert”) grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and produces white, single-form flowers that are 2 to 3 inches in diameter. “Queen Charlotte” (Anemone x hybrida “Konigin Charlotte” or “Queen Charlotte”) is a more compact plant that grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and produces 3-inch diameter, semi-double flowers in light pink.

Grapeleaf Anemones

• Grapeleaf anemones (Anemone tomentosa) begin blooming in late summer and continue through fall. They grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet with a growth habit and form similar to Japanese anemones but their leaves are shaped like grape vine leaves. Their 2- to 3-inch diameter flowers are white and single-form with yellow centers. “Robustissima” (Anemone tomentosa “Robustissima”) is a grapeleaf anemone hybrid that produces pink flowers.

Determining the Best

• These anemone species and hybrids are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 8. They tend to struggle during the summer in warmer climates but may survive in USDA zone 9 when sited in a mostly shady site with only cool morning direct sunlight. The soil should be kept uniformly moist throughout the spring, summer and fall for best results. Japanese anemones are best for sites where a smaller plant is desired. They are also best where the soil is sandy and tends to dry more quickly and in sites that have more direct sun exposure. Grapeleaf anemones are best in climates that experience higher summer temperatures. Japanese anemone hybrids are best where taller plants are preferred in USDA zones 8 and below. All of them prefer sites that are protected from wind and hot afternoon sunshine.