Japanese anemone
Also known as
Chinese anemone, Hupeh anemone, Japanese windflower, Autumn anemone, Windflower
Keep this plant’s care guide close at hand.
Get the appAbout Japanese anemone
Eriocapitella hupehensis (formerly Anemone hupehensis) is a herbaceous perennial in the buttercup family, prized for late-summer to autumn bloom. Typically 60–120 cm tall, it forms clumps that slowly expand via slender rhizomes. Basal leaves are dark green, trifoliate, and slightly hairy beneath, providing a handsome, textured mound. Wiry, branching stems carry airy clusters of saucer-shaped flowers with 5–7 petaloid sepals in soft pink to rosy-lilac or white, centered by a boss of golden stamens and green carpels that ripen into thimble-like seed heads. It thrives in humus-rich, well-drained soils with consistent moisture and light shade, making it ideal for woodland edges and mixed borders. Flowers are excellent for cutting and attract pollinators. Plants resent disturbance, so choose a permanent site. They are generally deer and rabbit resistant due to acrid sap but can flop in exposed wind; staking or neighboring support may help. Avoid soggy soils to prevent crown or root rot.
Taxonomy
Properties & Requirements
How to care for Japanese anemone
Water
Keep soil evenly moist, especially the first growing season. Provide roughly 2.5 cm of water per week from rain or irrigation, more during hot, dry spells. Water deeply at the base in the morning, allowing the top 2–5 cm of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Mulch to reduce evaporation, but do not mound mulch against the crown. Avoid frequent, shallow watering and standing water, both of which increase disease risk and reduce flowering.
Light
Provide partial shade: bright, dappled light or morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal. In cool-summer climates, they can tolerate full sun if soil remains consistently moist. In hot-summer regions, limit direct sun to early hours to prevent leaf scorch and premature flower fade. Too much shade reduces flowering and encourages lax, floppy stems. Aim for about 4–6 hours of gentle sun daily, with high, open shade or filtered light for the remainder.
Nutrients
In spring, top-dress with 2–5 cm of well-rotted compost to enrich soil and conserve moisture. Where soils are lean, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) at half the label rate as shoots emerge, and optionally a light liquid feed just before bud set. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas that encourage soft, floppy growth at the expense of flowers. Mulch annually to maintain fertility. Stop fertilizing 6–8 weeks before expected frost to allow tissues to harden.
Temperature
Hardy in USDA Zones 4–8 (sometimes 9 with afternoon shade and consistent moisture). Plants prefer cool to mild conditions and perform best with daytime temperatures around 15–24°C. They tolerate winter cold when crowns are mulched, but new shoots can be nipped by late frosts—provide protection during early spring cold snaps. Prolonged heat above ~32°C stresses plants and reduces bloom; ensure shade and moisture during heatwaves. Avoid placing near reflective heat or drying winds.
