Anemone leveillei
Leveille's anemone
Overview
Anemone leveillei is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the buttercup family, growing 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall and spreading to about 12 inches (30 cm). It forms a basal rosette of deeply cut, three-lobed leaves 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) across, each segment toothed and covered in soft hairs that give the foliage a grey-green cast. In late spring and early summer it sends up branched, hairy stems carrying cup-shaped flowers 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) wide. The flowers have 5-8 rounded white sepals, often flushed pale blue, lilac, or pink on the reverse, surrounding a central boss of slate-blue to grey stamens. Each stem holds several flowers that open in succession over a few weeks. After flowering, rounded seed heads form and release downy, wind-borne seeds. The plant grows from a fibrous rootstock and increases slowly into wider clumps rather than spreading by runners. It originates in moist mountain woodland and is grown at woodland edges in cultivation, going dormant by late summer in dry conditions. All parts contain protoanemonin and are toxic if eaten, and the sap can irritate skin. One limitation is its dislike of hot, dry exposure, where the leaves brown and the plant declines.
Native Range
Anemone leveillei is native to the mountains of western and central China, including Sichuan and Gansu provinces. It grows in damp meadows, open woodland, and scrub at elevations of 6,500-13,000 feet (2,000-4,000 m).Suggested Uses
Grown in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and along the cool edges of ponds and streams. It combines with ferns, hostas, and other shade perennials that share its need for moist soil. Suitable for naturalizing in dappled shade where summers stay cool.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread10" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White with blue or pink reverseFoliage Description
Grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Anemone leveillei in partial shade with protection from hot afternoon sun, in humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Keep the soil evenly moist through the growing season, as dry spells trigger early dormancy and leaf browning. A slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7.0 suits it, and an annual mulch of leaf mold maintains a cool root run. Feed lightly in spring if growth is weak, though rich feeding is not required. In suitable conditions the clump widens slowly and rarely needs division. Where summers are hot and dry, plants may die back by midsummer and reappear the following spring.Pruning
Remove faded flower stems after bloom to keep the planting tidy and limit self-seeding, unless seed is wanted for propagation. Cut back browned foliage in summer if the plant goes dormant early. Clear the previous season's dead leaves in late winter before new growth emerges.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons