Anemones

European Wood Anemone Hybrid Japanese Anemone Balkan Anemone European Wood Anemone

What are they?

The anemones are colourful members of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). In keeping with most members of the family (though strangely not the buttercups themselves!), these plants have sepals and petals that are similar to each other and which are often collectively referred to as 'tepals'.

Where are they found?

Our one native species is found in deciduous woodland and is often considered to be an indicator species of ancient woodland. Other species are cultivated as garden plants and may turn up in churchyards or on marginal land in urban environments.

Identification

Most of the species are relatively easy to identify by their deeply cut leaves and by the colour and number of the tepals. The blue species are rather similar and will require a hand lens to check for the presence or absence of small hairs on the underside of the leaves or tepals. The first three species are all low, spring flowering plants, whole the last is a taller, late summer/autumn flowerer.



European Wood Anemone      Anemone nemorosa

Native in old woodland on the boulder clay regions, doing particularly well in coppiced plantations. Flowers March to May. Forms creeping patches that can become quite extensive with age. Flowers are white or pale pink and may have deeper pink tones to the back of the tepals.

European Wood Anemone European Wood Anemone European Wood Anemone European Wood Anemone
Habit
Habit
Flowers
Flower
European Wood Anemone European Wood Anemone European Wood Anemone
Back of flower
Leaf
Fruit


Balkan Anemone      Anemone blanda

Introduced from southern Europe as a garden ornamental and popularly planted in churchyards, from where it may spread into neighbouring grassland. Flowers March to April. Flowers with 10-16, blue or sometimes white tepals. Leaves and tepals are hairless on their undersides.

Balkan Anemone Balkan Anemone Balkan Anemone Balkan Anemone
Habit
Habit
Flowers
Tepals hairless beneath


Blue Anemone      Anemone apennina

Introduced from southern Europe as a garden ornamental and popularly planted in churchyards, from where it may spread into neighbouring grassland. Flowers March to April. Flowers with 8-20, blue or sometimes white tepals. Leaves and tepals are lightly hairy on their undersides.

Blue Anemone Blue Anemone Blue Anemone Blue Anemone
Habit
Flower
Tepals hairy beneath
Leaves


Hybrid Japanese Anemone      Anemone x hybrida

A hybrid of garden origin. A vigorous herbaceous perennial that often outgrows its welcome and may get included in dumped garden waste which may be found persisting on roadsides or rough ground, or spreading naturally from neighbouring gardens. Flowers August to October. A tall plant, growing to 1-2m in height. Flowers may be white or a range of pink shades.

Hybrid Japanese Anemone Hybrid Japanese Anemone Hybrid Japanese Anemone Hybrid Japanese Anemone
Habit
Habit
Flower
Tepal undersides
Hybrid Japanese Anemone Hybrid Japanese Anemone
Leaves
Leaves