Windflower [Ruffled Swan] Anemone Ruffled Swan = 'Macane007' (PBR)
ABOUT
[Ruffled Swan] is an erect, clump-forming perennial, to 80cm tall, with palmate, toothed leaves. White, semi-double flowers with pale lilac-blue backs, up to 9cm in diameter are borne from summer into autumn on branched, upright stems
About this plant
- Names
Family
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Ruffled Swan Anemone
Common names
Anemone 'Ruffled Swan' = 'Macane007' (PBR).
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1.5-2 feet (45-60 cm)
Spread
1.5-2 feet (45-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: The Anemone Ruffled Swan features ruffled white flowers with a lavender reverse, adding elegance to any garden space.
- Extended Blooming: It has a long blooming period, from late spring to early autumn, providing continuous interest.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems and pollination.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal upkeep once established.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant, making it suitable for drier climates and water-wise gardens.
- Hardiness: It is hardy in a variety of climates and can withstand cold temperatures once established.
- Versatile Planting: Suitable for borders, beds, and containers, it is versatile enough for various garden designs.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: The plant is not a favorite of deer and rabbits, reducing the likelihood of damage from these animals.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Photography Subject: Due to its unique and attractive blossoms, the Ruffled Swan Anemone is a popular choice among photographers and garden enthusiasts for floral photography.
- Craft Projects: The flowers and leaves of the Ruffled Swan Anemone can be pressed and used in crafting projects such as handmade cards or bookmarks.
- Outdoor Events: These plants can be used to decorate outdoor events or weddings when they are in bloom, adding a touch of elegance and natural beauty.
- Fine Art Inspiration: Artists may use the Ruffled Swan Anemone as an inspiration for botanical drawings, paintings, or even sculpture.
- Garden Themes: The plant can be integrated into a 'swan-themed' garden alongside other swan-related plants or garden ornaments.
- Educational Tool: Ruffled Swan Anemone can be included in educational programs about plant hybridization and breeding due to its PBR status.
- Floral Displays: Fresh or dried, the blossoms can be incorporated into mixed floral displays, providing a soft, ruffled texture contrast.
- Companion Planting: The Ruffled Swan Anemone can be used as a companion plant to highlight the foliage or flowers of surrounding plants in a garden.
- Culinary Presentation: Although not edible, the flowers can serve as an ornamental garnish for culinary presentation purposes at high-end restaurants.
- Landscape Photography: These plants can add interest and dimension to landscape photography by providing a foreground subject against broader landscapes in spring and summer.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Anemone is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Anemone is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Anticipation and Expectation: The name Anemone itself comes from the Greek word for "windflower," implying that it is subject to the whims of the wind, which can be seen as a metaphor for anticipating change or a wind of fortune.
- Forsaken or Fading Hope: In the Victorian language of flowers, anemones sometimes represented a love that was diminishing or not returned, echoing a sense of forlornness.
- Protection Against Evil: Anemones were also thought to bring luck and protect against evil spirits, likely due to the mythology surrounding the death of Adonis and the red anemones that grew from his blood.
- Water
Ruffled Swan Anemones should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the soil to become damp but not waterlogged. To achieve this, apply water slowly at the base of the plant until you have provided about a gallon per plant. This encourages deep root growth. During periods of high heat or drought, you may need to water twice a week, especially if the plant is in well-draining soil or a container. Cut back on watering as the temperatures cool in the fall, and the plant enters dormancy.
- Light
The Ruffled Swan Anemone thrives best in partial shade to full sun. Ideally, it should receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade, which protects it from the harsh midday sun. Choose a spot that gets about 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day to ensure your anemone has enough light without experiencing leaf scorch or excessive stress.
- Temperature
Ruffled Swan Anemones prefer temperate climates with temperatures ranging from 35°F to 75°F. They can survive slight dips below freezing but should be protected or mulched heavily if temperatures consistently drop below 35°F. The ideal conditions for vigorous growth are daytime temperatures between 60°F and 70°F with cooler nights.
- Pruning
Prune Ruffled Swan Anemones to remove spent flowers and encourage further blooming throughout the season. Additionally, cut back to the ground in late fall or early winter after the foliage has died back, which helps to maintain plant vigor and prevent disease. Pruning is typically done on an as-needed basis throughout the blooming season and once at the end of the growing season.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
The best soil mix for an Anemone 'Ruffled Swan' should provide good drainage and be high in organic matter. A blend of two parts garden soil, one part well-rotted compost, and one part perlite or coarse sand is ideal. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.5 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
- Repotting
Anemone 'Ruffled Swan' generally does not require frequent repotting; it can be repotted every 2-3 years or when the plant has outgrown its current container. Spring is the best time for repotting to encourage healthy new growth.
- Humidity & Misting
Anemone 'Ruffled Swan' prefers moderate humidity levels, typical of outdoor environments. Aim for a humidity level between 40-60% to keep the plant thriving, as too high humidity can promote fungal diseases.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure well-drained soil.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, enrich soil with compost, and mulch.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
- Life cycle
The Anemone Ruffled Swan, commonly known as Ruffled Swan Anemone, begins its life as a dormant rhizome or root that is usually planted in the fall or early spring. Upon the return of warm weather, foliage emerges, followed by tall flowering stalks showcasing unique white blossoms with a purplish-blue reverse that appears in late spring to early summer. After blooming, the plant sets seed, which can disperse to propagate new plants, and the parent plant goes into a period of dormancy during the heat of the summer. In the fall, the plant may have a second, albeit less vigorous, blooming period before the foliage dies back with the approach of winter. The plant remains dormant through cold weather, drawing energy from the rhizome to prepare for the next growing season. With each cycle, the rhizome can expand, gradually forming larger clumps and increasing the number of blooms produced each year.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Anemone 'Ruffled Swan' is commonly propagated by division, which is best done during the late fall or early spring months. This method involves carefully lifting the plant from the ground, using a sharp spade or knife to divide the plant into smaller sections, ensuring that each section has at least a few growth points or leaves. These divisions are then replanted into a well-prepared soil that is rich in organic matter. Adequate spacing between the plants, usually about 12 to 18 inches (approximately 30 to 45 cm), is important to allow for proper growth and air circulation. The soil should be kept moist, but not waterlogged, to promote root establishment. It is important to note that newly divided plants may take some time to bloom as they focus on establishing their root systems.