Anemone hupehensis ‘Praecox’ (Japanese Anemone)

Flowering earlier than most Japanese Anemones, Anemone hupehensis ‘Praecox’ produces an abundance of bowl-shaped, deep pink, silky flowers, 2 to 2.5 in. wide (5-6 cm), with rounded tepals surrounding a central tuft of golden-yellow stamens. The outer petals are slightly darker which results in a delightful shimmering effect in the border. The flowers are gracefully carried on wiry stems above the deeply divided, dark green foliage, dancing and swaying in the breeze. Low care and well-behaved, this late summer garden favorite deserves a spot in the fall garden, where its vivid blooms and tall stature make it a perfect accent or border plant.

• One of the longest-blooming perennials in the garden, it provides weeks of color, from mid-summer through early fall, when many other perennials are starting to fade.
• This plant typically grows up to 50 in. tall (125 cm) and spreads via rhizomes to 33 in. (82 cm).
• Mixes beautifully with ornamental grasses or any other perennial plants. Well suited for borders, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, or naturalistic areas such as prairies or meadows.
• Very attractive as cut flowers, it has good resistance to most insects and diseases. Attracts butterflies but is deer and rabbit resistant!
• A full sun or part sun lover, it enjoys rich, humusy, evenly moist, well-drained soils. Do not let the soil dry out! Provide some wind protection. Add winter mulch in cool winter areas. This plant will happily naturalize to form colonies!
• Salt tolerant
• Eating may cause stomach upset and skin contact may cause mild irritation.

Native to China, Anemones have been cultivated in Japan for hundreds of years. Growing to 4 feet (120 cm), they produce single, semi-double or double blooms in shades of pink and white on slender, graceful stems in mid-late summer and early fall. Though they may appear delicate, these long-lived perennials can survive with minimal maintenance once they are established. Deer resistant, they are a popular choice for borders or as specimens in home gardens.