Anemonoides ranunculoides
yellow anemone
Overview
Anemonoides ranunculoides is a low, rhizomatous woodland perennial growing 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) tall, spreading by thin underground rhizomes into open colonies. It is a spring ephemeral: leaves and flowers emerge in early spring, and the whole plant dies back by early summer once the tree canopy closes. The deeply lobed, toothed leaves are arranged in a whorl of three beneath the flowers. From March to May, each stem carries one or two bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers 0.5-0.8 inch (1.3-2 cm) across, with five to eight petal-like sepals. Native to Europe and western Asia, A. ranunculoides grows in moist deciduous woodland, hedgerows, and on shaded stream banks over base-rich soil. It spreads steadily by rhizome and can form wide patches, though it is slower and less common than the related white wood anemone, A. nemorosa. All parts contain protoanemonin and are bitter and irritant, so the plant is left alone by grazing animals. The foliage disappears entirely by midsummer. It is hardy to USDA zone 4.
Native Range
Native to Europe and western Asia, from France and Scandinavia east to Russia. Grows in moist, base-rich deciduous woodland, hedge banks, and shaded stream sides.Suggested Uses
Grown in woodland and shade gardens, beneath deciduous shrubs and trees, and naturalized in moist grass. Planted 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) apart, it forms an early-spring carpet of yellow that fades before summer.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 6"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open from March to May, early in the woodland season before the canopy leafs out. Each stem bears one or two yellow flowers that open in sun and close in dull weather. The plant sets seed and then dies back by early summer.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 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
Anemonoides ranunculoides grows in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil across a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It needs spring moisture during growth and tolerates summer dryness once dormant. The plant is hardy to USDA zone 4 and spreads by rhizome to form colonies. Because the foliage vanishes by midsummer, it is interplanted with later perennials that fill the gap. Slugs can damage the soft spring growth. No fertilizer is needed beyond leaf mold.Pruning
No pruning is required. The plant dies back on its own by early summer and the spent foliage is left to wither. Spreading clumps can be lifted and divided in late summer while dormant.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons