Graceful Japanese Windflower
Anemone × hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ is a fall blooming beauty which will add grace to the garden in fall. All the autumn blooming Anemone Japonicas (the old fashioned name for them) are beautiful in my estimation, but this is the one I chose to grow for several reasons. It is single, and I love the simplicity of the single flowered forms, and it is a lovely milky white, which is a contrast to the leafy green that predominates in partly sunny/shady areas where I grow it. The white sings out of that part of the garden along with Hosta ‘Royal Standard’ which also blooms late and turns a golden color with its dying foliage.
This cultivar will bloom past frost and has a long period of bloom. It is a long lived perennial and grows to 3 or 4 feet tall from a clump about the same width. Spreads slowly by short runners, and can be propagated by root cuttings.
Although called Japanese anemones, the original plants are believed to have come from China where they grow in the wild in grasslands and uplands in central and southwestern China. Hybridized from the A. vitifolia which comes from the Himalayas, it had long grown in Japan and become naturalized there. Early European introduction of the parent of ‘Honorine Jobert’, A. x hybrida began in England, and after Jobert introduced his sport, it soon made its way back there from France. It has been a popular garden plant ever since.
A member of the “Buttercup” Ranunculaceae family, which include such garden worthy plants as Delphinium, Clematis, and Aconitum. The same family also boasts the Hellebores which would make good companions for the Anemones, though blooming at a different time of year. All these plants tend to be toxic.
Where to Plant This Heirloom Flower?
The style of this simple and elegant flower lends an airy feel to cottage gardens, and more modern landscapes just as easily. It would be lovely in a woodland border or as a feature in a serenity garden. Strong wiry stems hold the white flowers aloft for viewing display.
Received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society- Partly sunny
- Regular moisture with good drainage
- Added humus
- Propagated by root cuttings
- Hardy to Zone 5
- Height: 36″
- Bloomtime: Sept-Oct, color: white
Flowers:
Single 2-3″ diameter flowers have six to nine overlapping white petaloid sepals surrounding an eye and boss of yellow center stamens. Flowers from September to October.
Foliage:
Trifoliate dark green leaves at basal clump, with small, sparse leaves along wiry stems. The “grapevine-like” leaves betray its parentage which includes A. vitifolia.
Cultivation:
- Despite its nickname of “windflower” keep out of windy spots and keep the soil moist and well draining (best accomplished by incorporating humus and leaf mold.)
- Does not take full sun, but a partly sunny or dappled shade aspect will suit Japanese anemones well.
- It is not a demanding plant, and survived my poor treatment of it. I had planted it under a maple in an exposed part of the garden which can get quite dry. Â Those aren’t qualifications I recommend for it, but shows that this is a plant that will grow under a challenging condition while rewarding better treatment with a fine stand of pristine flowers in the fall months.
Resource Links
Chicago Botanic Garden PDF on anemones, including information on ‘Honorine Jobert’ Anemone.
RHS Anemone × hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ AGM
Featured photo by Lynn Wohlers on Flickr
