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Anemone virginiana

tall thimbleweed

Ranunculaceae Eastern North America

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Anemone virginiana is an upright herbaceous perennial reaching 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) tall, occasionally to 40 inches (100 cm), forming a loose clump from a short woody rhizome. Basal and stem leaves are deeply divided into three to five sharply toothed, lance-shaped segments 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, on long petioles. Flowers are solitary on long stalks rising above the foliage, 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) across, with five (rarely more) greenish-white sepals and no true petals, surrounding a central green cone of pistils. Flowering runs from June through August. After bloom the flower head elongates into a cylindrical, thimble-shaped seed cluster 0.5-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) long that splits to release woolly, cottony seeds in autumn. The plant spreads slowly by rhizome and self-seeds where soil is bare. Foliage is coarse-textured and may yellow by late summer in dry soils. All parts contain protoanemonin and can irritate the skin and the digestive tract.

Native Range

Native to eastern North America, from Quebec and Ontario south to Georgia and west to the Dakotas and Kansas. Grows in dry to moist open woods, woodland edges, thickets, clearings, and rocky slopes, usually on well-drained soils.

Suggested Uses

Planted in native and pollinator gardens, woodland edges, and naturalized meadows at 12-18 inch (30-45 cm) spacing. The persistent thimble-shaped seed heads add structure to dried arrangements and winter borders. Its self-seeding habit can crowd small formal beds.

How to Identify

Distinguished from Anemone canadensis by its taller, more open habit and greenish-white flowers borne singly on long stalks rather than in clusters. The thimble-shaped seed head 0.5-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) long, elongating well beyond a typical anemone seed cluster, is diagnostic. Leaves are deeply cut into three to five toothed segments, and the woolly seeds disperse on the wind in fall.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

white

green

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Blooms June through August, peaking in July. Individual flowers last about a week; the clump flowers over 4-6 weeks. The greenish-white flowers are small relative to the foliage. Seed heads develop through late summer and persist into winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in average, well-drained soil and tolerates dry, rocky ground once established. Water during the first season; established plants tolerate short droughts but may go dormant early in prolonged dry spells. No fertilizer is needed in average soils. The plant self-seeds and spreads slowly by rhizome, forming wider stands over several years. Few pests trouble it, though leaf spot and powdery mildew appear in humid, crowded conditions and are cosmetic. All parts are toxic if eaten, and the sap irritates skin in sensitive individuals.

Pruning

Cut spent stems back after the seed heads shatter, or leave them through winter for the cottony seed heads. Cut all foliage to the ground in late fall or early spring. Removing seed heads before they open reduces self-seeding.