Windflower (Anemone × lesseri)
Explore the Windflower, Anemone × lesseri, a fibrous-rooted perennial showcasing showy reddish-pink flowers in part shade.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Anemone × lesseri, commonly known as the Windflower, is a charming herbaceous perennial valued for its unique flower coloring and persistent foliage. This hybrid variety brightens shaded garden spots with blooms that appear reliably in early summer. Gardeners appreciate its delicate structure, which provides vertical interest without becoming overwhelming in size.
This fibrous-rooted perennial forms tidy, erect clumps, making it a good choice for softening edges in woodland-style plantings. While it is a relatively easy plant to incorporate, understanding its specific soil and moisture needs is key to its success outside the nursery environment. The Anemone × lesseri offers an attractive texture that lasts well beyond its initial flowering period.
Though it is a garden hybrid of uncertain parentage, the aesthetic appeal of the Windflower is undeniable. It performs best when sheltered from intense afternoon heat, thriving in areas that mimic its preferred dappled light conditions. Its moderate size and medium maintenance profile make it an excellent addition for intermediate garden layers.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Ranunculaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Garden origin
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: June
- Bloom Description: Reddish-pink, white, yellow or purple
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The Anemone × lesseri thrives when planted in rich, humusy soils that retain consistent moisture without becoming waterlogged. Planting should occur in spring or early fall, ensuring the location receives dappled light or morning sun only. Afternoon shade is crucial, especially in hotter climates, to prevent leaf scorch and stress, much like managing similar species in areas like the St. Louis region.
Watering should remain consistent throughout the growing season, matching its medium water needs. Heavy fertilization is generally unnecessary; focus instead on amending the soil annually with compost to maintain organic matter content. Deadheading spent blooms is not strictly required but can keep the appearance neat.
A crucial aspect of caring for the Windflower is managing its lifespan; plants may only persist for two to three years in the garden environment. To ensure continuity, propagate cuttings via division or root cuttings during the appropriate season. Addressing potential pests like slugs and snails promptly will help keep the foliage healthy and robust.
Landscape Uses
The moderate height and shade tolerance of the Anemone × lesseri make it perfectly suited for the part shade areas of border fronts. Planting groups along the edge of a developing woodland garden allows the colorful flowers to emerge beautifully against darker backgrounds. They pair well with shade-loving ferns, hostas, and other perennials that appreciate similar soil moisture levels.
Consider massing the Windflower for a stronger visual impact, as individual plants can sometimes look sparse. They are excellent for filling the middle layer of a layered shade border, linking lower groundcovers with taller shrubs. The foliage of Anemone × lesseri persists after the bloom period, adding structural value to the late-season garden design.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
This hybrid anemone (A. Multifida × A. Sylvestris) is a fibrous-rooted perennial that grows in erect clumps to 16” tall. Reddish-pink flowers (to 2” diameter), each with 5-9 sepals, bloom in July either singly or in umbels of 2-3. Less common flower colors include white, yellow or purple. Hairy medium green leaves (to 5”) are 3-5 palmate. Foliage persists after bloom. Genus name is often said to be derived from the Greek word anemos meaning wind.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
Serious insect or disease problems are generally not noted for this hybrid. The primary concern lies with itinerant pests, specifically slugs and snails, which find the tender foliage appealing. To manage these mollusks, employ physical barriers, use beer traps, or apply appropriate pellets early in the season before populations explode. Consistent vigilance, especially during wet periods, will protect your Windflower specimens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Windflower suitable for?
The Windflower (Anemone × lesseri) is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8. Ensure your local climate falls within this range for reliable perennial performance.
How large does Anemone × lesseri grow?
This plant typically reaches a height between 1 and 1.5 feet, spreading quietly to occupy a space roughly 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
What sun exposure does Anemone × lesseri need?
The ideal requirement for Anemone × lesseri is part shade. It appreciates the gentle morning sun but must be protected from the harsh, hot afternoon sun.
When does Windflower bloom?
The Windflower generally blooms in June, providing flowers that range in color from reddish-pink to white, yellow, or purple.
Conclusion
The Anemone × lesseri offers dependable, colorful blooms in the challenging partially shaded areas of the garden, providing excellent texture and mid-season interest. Its simple cultural needs—humusy soil and consistent moisture—make the hybrid Windflower a rewarding choice for intermediate gardeners. Always check your local hardiness zone before planting and plan your division schedule to ensure continuous propagation.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Anemone × lesseri, focus on plants that share its preference for part shade and medium moisture. Hostas with deep green or blue foliage provide a strong contrasting background that makes the lighter-colored flowers of the Windflower pop. Consider low-growing groundcovers like Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) for the front edge, which can help keep the soil cool and moist around the roots of the Anemone.
For vertical contrast in a woodland garden setting, pair the Anemone × lesseri with taller shade perennials such as Japanese Anemones (later bloomers) or large ornamental grasses that tolerate lower light levels. Successful companion planting revolves around matching the basic cultural needs, ensuring that no single species competes aggressively for water or nutrients in the shallow root zone.
Propagation Tips
One of the most important practical considerations for growing the Anemone × lesseri is its relatively short garden lifespan, necessitating regular propagation. The two most recommended methods involve either division or root cuttings. Division should be done carefully in spring as new growth emerges, ensuring that each division retains sufficient fibrous roots to establish quickly.
Root cuttings are another effective way to produce new plants and keep your population thriving. Take thin root sections in the dormant season, typically late fall or winter, and place them horizontally just beneath the surface of a sterile, moist potting medium in a cool location or cold frame. This regenerative approach ensures you have replacements ready when older clumps of Windflower naturally decline.
