Find Us:
Cosmos in the Garden
  • Blog
  • Gallery
  • Publications
  • About me
  • Ask Jarek
  • Polski

Windflower

9/9/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
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).

Jarek
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Author

    I was destined to be born gardener. In order to become a professional  one I had to enjoy years of studying at various  schools and  universities...  read more

    Archives

    Kwiecień 2015
    Styczeń 2015
    Grudzień 2014
    Październik 2014
    Wrzesień 2014
    Sierpień 2014
    Lipiec 2014
    Czerwiec 2014
    Maj 2014
    Kwiecień 2014
    Marzec 2014
    Luty 2014
    Styczeń 2014
    Grudzień 2013
    Listopad 2013
    Październik 2013
    Wrzesień 2013
    Sierpień 2013
    Lipiec 2013
    Czerwiec 2013

    Categories

    Wszystkie
    Annuals
    Biennials
    Bulbs
    Corms
    Country Gardens
    Country Gardens
    Dry Decorations
    Fall
    Flowering Shrubs
    Flowering Shrubs
    Flowering Trees
    Flowering Trees
    Flowers
    Food
    Forrest
    Grains
    Grasses
    Herbs
    Leaves
    Meadows
    Orchards
    Other
    Perennials
    Potted Plants
    Rhizomes
    Roses
    Shade
    Shrubs
    Spring
    Summer
    Trees
    Tubers
    Vegetables
    Vines
    Winter

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.