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Dry
weather and shorter days take a toll on perennials by late summer.
Many plants look tired and worn, and most of the flowers are spent.
Very little in the garden reminds you of the vivid greens and verdant
splendor of summer. An
exception is the Japanese anemone whose 3” pink flowers dance on the
September breezes. Fall blooming
anemones are a last glimpse of summer garden glory before the fall asters’
and sedums’ blooms signal The
rosy flowers pictured above are hybrid anemones, crosses of several Asian
species (white-flowered varieties are also available).
Their airy 30-inch stalks produce between 15 and 20 flower stems with
three to seven flowers on each. The plants grow best in moist, rich soil and
should be sited where they receive dappled sun or morning light only.
Like
spring snowdrops (Anemone sylvestris) and meadow windflowers (Anemone
canadensis), Japanese anemones produce underground runners and may be
vigorous spreaders. Weed out any
unwanted plants in the spring, removing the roots as well as the foliage.
The runners aren’t difficult to unearth. Japanese anemones provide a wonderful transition between the summer coneflowers and rudbeckias and the frost-friendly asters, mums and sedums. Make room for this often overlooked choice for your late summer shade garden. |
Port Washington Garden Club, PO
Box 492, Port Washington, Wisconsin 53074
Registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization