Windflower? Now?In the fall, when the last late flowering plants hurriedly open their flowers to make it before the frostbite season starts? Yes! Some windflowers announce the springtime has come, others prefer the summer season, and the protagonist of today's post likes to bloom when the days become shorter and colder. And it does it nonstop until the persistent flowers are cut down by heavy frosts. Before that sad moment happens, let us enjoy the masterpiece each flower represents: white, rose-pink, silvery-pink or bright rose-purple petals and brilliant golden stamens surrounding the globular centre. That is not all. The ornamental leaves decorate the garden the moment they emerge from the soil and make a perfect background for tall, slender stems bearing the numerous flower buds. And then they break open and we know the fall has arrived.
The Windflowers or Japanese Anemones are one of the most precious perennials. Their lovely cup-shaped flowers appear in the garden in early September bringing all spring memories. Especially the white cultivars. If it were not for the size, everyone would be taken in that the spring has come back again. However, the height (75cm-1.5m/30in-4-5ft) makes everybody disbelieve the plant has anything in common with the spring windflowers. Actually, it does. Both species are close botanical relatives only living in quite distant places in the world.
The windflower is almost a perfect plant. To guarantee the perfection we should find a sunny or partially shady location in the garden. The best idea would be to choose a site near some taller bushes that would serve as a wind protection. Good garden soil, moist yet well drained, will definitely suit the moderate requirements of the plant. If we incorporate a good measure of well-rotted manure into the soil we can bank on healthy and vigorous growth and abundant flowering the following years. During hot summer spells we should forget to water the plants. Mulching with moist peat or half-rotted leaves can help retain the soil moisture. Young plants might need some winter protection but only during the first and second years after planting.
When the above mentioned (modest) requirements are met there is nothing else to do but wait for the first flowers. If the weather is too cold for the outdoor celebration do not hesitate to cut a few wiry stems topped with beautiful blooms and put them all in a vase. These windflowers are lovely for cutting not like the spring flowering windflowers. And this fact makes the fall more valuable season of all (I want to make it clear the text has not been sponsored by any autumn loving forces).
The windflower is almost a perfect plant. To guarantee the perfection we should find a sunny or partially shady location in the garden. The best idea would be to choose a site near some taller bushes that would serve as a wind protection. Good garden soil, moist yet well drained, will definitely suit the moderate requirements of the plant. If we incorporate a good measure of well-rotted manure into the soil we can bank on healthy and vigorous growth and abundant flowering the following years. During hot summer spells we should forget to water the plants. Mulching with moist peat or half-rotted leaves can help retain the soil moisture. Young plants might need some winter protection but only during the first and second years after planting.
When the above mentioned (modest) requirements are met there is nothing else to do but wait for the first flowers. If the weather is too cold for the outdoor celebration do not hesitate to cut a few wiry stems topped with beautiful blooms and put them all in a vase. These windflowers are lovely for cutting not like the spring flowering windflowers. And this fact makes the fall more valuable season of all (I want to make it clear the text has not been sponsored by any autumn loving forces).
Jarek
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