Japanese Anemone Anemone × hybrida 'Lady Gilmour' Wolley-dod
ABOUT
Anemone 'Lady Gilmour' is a charming floral plant that is characterized by its attractive and vibrant flowers. The blossoms are typically a deep pink hue, boasting semi-double to double petal arrangements that create a full, layered look, akin to a ruffled skirt. These petals encircle a group of prominent yellow stamens, which form the focal point of each flower. The flowers are borne atop sturdy stems that seem to dance above the foliage with a lively poise. The foliage of the 'Lady Gilmour' is also quite appealing, with leaves that are deeply dissected and have a somewhat ferny appearance. The leaves are a luscious green color and provide an excellent backdrop for the bright flowers, enhancing the visual impact of the blooms. The plant typically has a bushy, mounded habit, giving it a robust presence in the garden. As a perennial, it will lose its foliage in winter and re-sprout in the spring, bringing with it a fresh burst of growth and color.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Japanese Anemone, Hybrid Anemone, Windflower
Common names
Anemone × hybrida 'Lady Gilmour' Wolley-Dod
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Japanese anemone can be toxic to humans if ingested. All parts of the plant contain toxic compounds that can cause irritation to the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal system if consumed. Symptoms of poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth irritation. Opinions surrounding the severity of their toxicity to humans vary, so it is advisable to avoid ingestion and to handle the plant with care, especially around children who might be tempted to eat its attractive features.
To pets
Japanese anemone is also toxic to pets. If ingested, it can cause similar symptoms as it does in humans, including drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and oral irritation. As pets are often smaller and may be more sensitive to the toxic compounds found in the plant, it is important to prevent them from ingesting any parts of it. If you suspect your pet has consumed Japanese anemone, contact a veterinarian promptly.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3-4 feet (0.91-1.22 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: The Anemone 'Lady Gilmour' is known to attract bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollination in gardens.
- Ornamental Value: With its vibrant pink flowers, the plant adds color and visual interest to garden beds and borders.
- Long Blooming Period: The plant typically flowers from late summer to fall, offering an extended display when many other plants have finished blooming.
- Ease of Care: This hybrid is relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal care once established in the correct conditions.
- Adaptability: Anemone 'Lady Gilmour' can adapt to a variety of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soil.
- Cutting Garden Addition: The flowers can be cut and used in floral arrangements, providing fresh blooms for the home.
- Seasonal Interest: The foliage of the Anemone 'Lady Gilmour' dies back in winter and emerges anew in spring, marking the change of seasons in the garden.
- Naturalizing: Over time, the plant can spread and create natural swathes or drifts in garden settings.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Anemone × hybrida 'Lady Gilmour' can be used as a natural dye, with different parts of the plant providing varying hues to textiles and fabrics.
- The petals of the Japanese anemone can be pressed and included in homemade paper for a decorative effect, adding both color and texture to the final product.
- Due to their long-lasting nature after being cut, these flowers can be used in dried floral arrangements to add beauty to indoor spaces for extended periods.
- The plant's stems can be woven or incorporated into small crafts for structural support or as a natural embellishment.
- Leaves of the Japanese anemone can be used to create leaf mould, which is an excellent soil conditioner and a natural fertilizer for gardens.
- The blossoms can serve as a natural confetti for outdoor celebrations, decomposing without harm to the environment unlike synthetic alternatives.
- Japanese anemones can be utilized in a compost heap, contributing to a balanced mix of green material that helps to produce rich compost.
- These flowers can be used as a subject in photography and painting, capturing the delicacy and beauty of the petals in various forms of art.
- Edible varieties of the anemone family can have their petals used as a decorative and subtle flavor addition to salads and desserts.
- The pattern and structure of Japanese anemone flowers can inspire designs in fields such as architecture, fashion, and even engineering.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Japanese Anemone is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Japanese Anemone is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Forsaken Love: The Anemone has been associated with forsaken love or a feeling of being left behind, possibly due to its delicate petals that can be easily blown away by the wind, much like lost love.
- Anticipation: Anemone blooms in spring after a long winter, which is symbolic of anticipation for something new and fresh or the hope that comes with seasons changing.
- Protection against evil: In some folklore, it's believed that Anemone flowers can ward off evil spirits and ill luck, which makes them a symbol of protection.
WaterJapanese Anemones, including 'Lady Gilmour' require regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During active growth, especially in the spring and summer, they may need watering once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions. A thorough watering with approximately 1 gallon for outdoor plants or 8-16 ounces for potted plants is usually sufficient to saturate the root zone. During the cooler months, reduce watering frequency, but don't allow the soil to dry out completely. Mulching can help retain soil moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering.
LightJapanese Anemones like 'Lady Gilmour' thrive best in partial shade to full sun. They should be planted in a location where they receive morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, especially in hotter regions, to protect them from intense heat. Dappled sunlight under the canopy of open trees or a spot that gets sun and shade throughout the day are ideal conditions for this plant.
TemperatureJapanese Anemones, such as 'Lady Gilmour', grow well in a temperature range from 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive minimum winter temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit but require protection or mulch in colder zones. The ideal growing conditions are in a temperate climate where extreme heat and freezing temperatures are infrequent.
PruningPrune 'Lady Gilmour' Japanese Anemones after the flowering has finished to tidy up the plant and remove spent blooms. This usually occurs in late fall or early winter. Cut back the stems to just above ground level. Pruning encourages healthy growth for the next season and can prevent self-seeding if not desired. Every few years, thin out overcrowded clumps to rejuvenate the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilJapanese anemones like moist but well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A soil mix of equal parts loam, peat, and perlite can work well for 'Lady Gilmour'. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH ranging from 5.6 to 7.5.
RepottingJapanese anemones, such as 'Lady Gilmour', do not require frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years or when they outgrow their current container.
Humidity & Misting'Lady Gilmour' thrives in average garden humidity levels. Ensuring good air circulation helps prevent issues with too much humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright, indirect light and keep evenly moist.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade with moist, fertile soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA.
Life cycleAnemone × hybrida 'Lady Gilmour' commonly known as Hybrid Anemone, begins its life cycle as a clump of rhizomes that sprout shoots in spring. The plant develops into a mound of deeply lobed foliage, from which long, wiry stems grow throughout the summer, culminating in an abundance of pink, cup-shaped flowers with a central cluster of yellow stamens in late summer to fall. After blooming, the flowers produce dry, inedible achenes, which are a type of fruit containing seeds. As winter approaches, the foliage of the Hybrid Anemone dies back to the ground, and the plant enters a period of dormancy. While in dormancy, the rhizomes rest underground, surviving through the winter to regenerate the next growing season. This perennial cycle of growth, flowering, seed setting, dormancy, and regrowth continues year after year in the plant's life.
PropogationPropogation time
Early Spring
Propogation: The Japanese Anemone 'Lady Gilmour' is most commonly propagated by division. The optimal time for this process is in the spring after the risk of frost has passed but before the plant has put on substantial new growth. To propagate by division, one would carefully dig up an established clump of the plant, ensuring to maintain a healthy root system for each section. The clump should be separated into smaller clumps with a sharp knife or spade, making sure that each new section has at least one growth point or shoot. These sections can then be replanted into moist, well-draining soil at the same depth they were originally growing, spaced about 18 inches (approximately 45 centimeters) apart to allow for growth and air circulation. After planting, it's important to water the divisions thoroughly to help establish them in their new locations.
