Plant of the Month July 2012

Anemone narcissiflorum

Anemone narcissiflorum; photo by Todd Boland

Description and general information

This anemone is native throughout Eurasia but var. villosissima is native to Alaka, var. monantha to Alaska, North-west Territories, Yukon and BC and var. zephyra to Colorado and Wyoming. Pictured here is the European form which is perhaps the most common form grown in cultivation.

Plants produce 3-10 ternate-divided basal leaves and several flower stems that reach 20-60 cm. The 2-8 white flowers per stem are produced in an umbel throughout spring. In the wild, they occur in grassy or peaty alpine meadows.

Cultivation

Plants require a well-drained soil that is gritty but high in organic matter. Full sun is prefered in the north while in warmer areas, part-shade is appreciated. They are rated hardy through zone 3.

Bloom period

This anemone blooms in April in southern regions but as late as July in northern areas.

Propagation

Division or seed.

Seed

As soon as seeds are ripe, sow them and leave outside for the winter. Otherwise sow in fall and stratify for 3 months. Seeds have short viability. Some success may be had with using GA then sowing at 20 C.

Division

Only useful on very large specimens as this species is slow to increase and can be set-back by division.

Cuttings

Not practiced.

References

1. www.onrockgarden.com/germination-guide/plants?title=&start=anemone+narcissiflora&contain=

2.

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