Anemonoides apennina
blue anemone
Southern Europe (Apennines and Balkans)
Overview
Anemonoides apennina is a low spring-flowering woodland perennial, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall, that grows from a knobbly creeping rhizome and spreads slowly into open carpets. The deeply divided, ferny dark green leaves rise on slender stalks in early spring. From March to April each stem carries a single upward-facing flower 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across, with 10-15 narrow, petal-like sky-blue segments around a boss of yellow stamens; white and pale pink forms also occur. The flowers open in sun and close in dull weather and at night. After flowering the plant sets small dry fruits, then dies back entirely by early summer to rest as a dormant rhizome through the warm months. This summer dormancy leaves a gap in the ground that later-emerging plants can fill. It naturalizes under deciduous trees and shrubs, where it receives spring light before the canopy closes and shade through summer. Plants increase steadily year on year into broad drifts. Like other anemones the foliage and sap can irritate skin and are bitter and mildly toxic if eaten.
Native Range
Anemonoides apennina is native to southern Europe, from the Apennines of Italy through the Balkans, growing in deciduous woodland, scrub, and shady banks. It has naturalized in parts of Britain and northern Europe from garden plantings.Suggested Uses
Grown for spring carpets of blue under deciduous trees and shrubs, in woodland gardens, and naturalized in short grass. It combines with other spring woodlanders such as wood anemones and early bulbs. Its summer dormancy suits ground later filled by ferns and shade perennials.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 8"
Width/Spread4" - 1'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in early to mid spring, mainly March and April, with one flower per stem opening in sunshine. The flowers are pollinated by early bees and hoverflies. Small dry single-seeded fruits follow before the plant dies down for summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Sky-blue, also white or pinkFoliage Description
Dark 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
Grows in partial shade in humus-rich, moist but well-drained woodland soil, taking full spring sun beneath bare deciduous trees and shade once the canopy closes. It is hardy to USDA zone 5 and goes dormant by early summer, resting as a rhizome through dry warm months. Steady spring moisture supports flowering, while summer drought during dormancy is tolerated. Rhizomes are planted shallowly in autumn and spread on their own into drifts. It has few pests, though slugs may graze the young foliage, and waterlogged or hot dry spring sites reduce it.Pruning
No pruning is needed. The foliage is left to die back naturally after flowering to feed the rhizome for the next year. Spent leaves are cleared once they have withered.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons