(European Wood Anemone)

A familiar and beloved wildflower of European woodlands, this hardy perennial spangles the forest floor with white flowers in early spring. The cupped, six- to eight-lobed blooms open wide in bright light to reveal a central starburst of bright yellow anthers. The solitary flowers are borne atop compact stems clothed with heavily dissected, three-parted leaves. Similar leaves arise directly from the ground. The foliage goes dormant by midsummer. Plants grow from a branching underground network of...

(European Wood Anemone, Robinsoniana European Wood Anemone)

A familiar and beloved hardy perennial from European forests, wood anemone spangles the shaded garden with dainty flowers in early spring. Bearing colorful blossoms that are bright lavender-blue inside and gray-white outside, 'Robinsoniana' is named after famed horticulturist William Robinson, who selected it in about 1870. The cupped, six- to eight-lobed blooms open wide in bright light to reveal a central starburst of bright yellow anthers. The solitary flowers are borne atop compact stems clothed...

(Wood Ginger)

A yellow-flowered version of the much beloved European wood anemone, this hardy perennial from northern Europe and western Asia bears its sunny flowers in early spring. The cupped, five- to eight-lobed blooms open wide in bright light to reveal a central boss of bright yellow anthers. The solitary flowers are borne atop compact stems clothed with heavily dissected, three-parted leaves. Similar leaves arise directly from the ground. The foliage goes dormant by midsummer. Plants grow from a branching...

(Snowdrop Windflower, Woodland Anemone)

This anemone, sometimes called the snowdrop windflower, is a hardy, herbaceous perennial that flowers strongly in early spring. It is a native of northern, eastern and central Europe. The plant grows as a mounded clump of leaves that are maple-shaped but deeply divided to the point of looking toothy. The leaves arise from a woody, spreading root and the plant can be invasive, as it spreads rapidly by sending up new plants (suckers) from its roots. In spring, the plant lifts up a forest of tall flower...

(Madonna Woodland Anemone, Snowdrop Windflower, Woodland Anemone)

The Madonna woodland anemone, sometimes called the snowdrop windflower, is a hardy, herbaceous perennial that flowers strongly in early spring. It is a native of northern, eastern and central Europe. Selection 'Madonna' grows as a shorter-growing mounded clump of leaves that are maple-shaped but deeply divided to the point of looking toothy. The leaves arise from a woody, spreading root and the plant can be invasive, as it spreads rapidly by sending up new plants (suckers) from its roots. In spring,...

(Anemone, Fuzzy Grapeleaf Anemone)

Even when not displaying the pale pink flowers by early fall, the fuzzy grapeleaf anemone warrants a look because of its foliage. All across the highland grassland slopes of central China this herbaceous perennial wildflower prospers. It forms a clump of attractive leaves that rises from a semi-woody, fibrous root system. Plants readily spread because of the underground shoots.

The green leaves rise from the roots to create a basal rosette as well as appear on the upright flower stems. Each leaf...

(Anemone, Fuzzy Grapeleaf Anemone, Rose Beauty Anemone)

Easy to start from seed and becoming a showpiece in the perennial garden, the Rose Beauty fuzzy grapeleaf anemone boasts a long season of rose and pink blossoms. This species is native to the highland grassland slopes of central China. It forms a clump of attractive leaves that rises from a semi-woody, fibrous root system. Plants readily spread because of the underground shoots.

The green leaves rise from the roots to create a basal rosette as well as appear on the upright flower stems. Each...

(Grapeleaf Anemone, Vine Anemone)

Attractive, grapeleaf-shaped foliage makes an exquisite backdrop to the vine anemone's white flowers that appear by late summer. This herbaceous perennial is native to high elevation, open woodlands and fields from northern India to southwestern China and northern Myanmar, including the Himalayan nations of Bhutan and Nepal. It develops into a mounded but spreading clump with meandering roots that sprout new leafy growth.

The grapeleaf anemone's stems often flop and resemble short vines. The...

(Flame Anemone, Scarlet Windflower)

A naturally occurring hybrid from the south of France, this beautiful tender perennial grows from a fat tuberous underground rhizome. Appearing in late winter or early spring, the showy scarlet to magenta flowers resemble those of poppy-flowered anemone (Anemone coronaria), but with somewhat smaller, narrower, and more numerous "petals." Borne on calf-high stems above clumps of divided, ferny leaves, the solitary, poppy-like blooms have a large dark central disk.

Happiest in full sun...

(Fall-flowering Anemone, Hybrid Anemone)

For the late season perennial border there are arguably no better flowering ornamental than the hybrid fall-flowering anemone. It is derived from two parent species, Anemone hupehensis var. japonica and Anemone vitifolia, which originate from China and Japan. It is a vigorous hardy clump-forming plant that spreads over time to form colonies.

The leaves are medium green, lobed and maple-shaped. In late summer to fall it puts forth tall, airy stems covered with numerous...