Japanese Anemone
Scientific Name: Eriocapitella hupehensis (formerly Anemone hupehensis)
Category: plant
Brief Description
A popular herbaceous perennial known for producing masses of delicate white to pink saucer-shaped flowers on tall, branching stems in late summer and autumn.
Characteristics
Flowers typically feature 5 or more petal-like sepals ranging from white to deep pink with a prominent cluster of yellow stamens in the center. Leaves are dark green, deeply lobed, and trifoliate.
Habitat
Woodland margins, partial shade gardens, and moist, well-draining soils.
When to Find It
Blooms from late summer through mid-autumn (August to October).
Conservation Status
N/A
Ecological Role
Provides a valuable late-season nectar and pollen source for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators when many other plants have finished flowering.
Easily Confused With
Can be confused with other Anemone species such as the Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa), but Japanese anemones are much taller and bloom much later in the year.
Observation Tips
Look for them in garden borders or naturalized woodland clearings during the late summer months. They spread via underground rhizomes so they often form large, dense patches.
Interesting Facts
Despite the common name 'Japanese Anemone', this plant is actually native to central China, though it has been cultivated in Japan for centuries.