Anemone nemorosa 'Allenii'
ABOUT
The plant known as Allenii is a variety that belongs to the wood anemone family, which is a spring-flowering perennial known for its delicate and attractive flowers. This particular cultivar typically features blooms that are a striking shade of blue, rather than the white or pink commonly seen in other members of the wood anemone group. The flowers of Allenii are composed of petal-like sepals, usually numbering six to seven per flower, and they exhibit a slight nodding habit which gives them a demure and enchanting appearance. The center of each flower is adorned with a group of bright yellow stamens, which provide a lovely contrast to the blue sepals and attract pollinators. The leaves are deeply lobed, forming a kind of collar around the base of the flower stems, and have a lush, green appearance. These leaves are often divided into three sections, with further subdivisions that lend a fine-textured look to the foliage. Allenii spreads by underground rhizomes, forming carpets of foliage with the charming flowers rising above them in the springtime, creating a serene woodland aesthetic in gardens and natural settings. Overall, Allenii is celebrated for its beautiful spring display and its role in adding a splash of color to the shaded areas where it thrives.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Allen's Wood Anemone, Blue Wood Anemone
Common names
Anemone nemorosa 'Allenii'.
ToxicityTo humans
Wood anemone is considered toxic due to the presence of toxic compounds like protoanemonin, which can cause skin irritation upon contact. If ingested, it can lead to gastrointestinal distress such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and can be potentially harmful depending on the quantity consumed. In severe cases, it can affect the central nervous system and lead to respiratory failure, but such extreme reactions are rare.
To pets
Wood anemone is toxic to pets, containing compounds like protoanemonin that can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested. It is critical to prevent pets from chewing or ingesting any part of the plant, as it could lead to gastrointestinal upset or more severe health problems in larger quantities.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
Spread
4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Early spring bloom: Anemone nemorosa 'Allenii', commonly known as wood anemone, heralds the arrival of spring with its early bloom, adding cheer after winter.
- Ornamental value: With its delicate blue flowers, this plant is a visually appealing addition to gardens and landscapes.
- Low maintenance: Wood anemone is generally easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established in the right conditions.
- Ground cover: It can form an attractive carpet of foliage and flowers, making it an excellent ground cover option to suppress weeds.
- Attracts pollinators: The flowers of wood anemone provide a valuable early-season nectar source for bees and other pollinating insects.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, wood anemone can tolerate periods of drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping and dry gardens.
- Shade tolerance: It thrives in dappled shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens and underplanting beneath deciduous trees and shrubs.
- Deer and rabbit resistance: The plant is not a preferred food source for deer and rabbits, which helps prevent damage in the garden.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Anemone nemorosa 'Allenii', commonly known as wood anemone, can be used as a natural dye, producing a range of shades from green to brown depending on the mordant used.
- Wood anemones are utilized in garden design as ground cover to create a 'woodland' feel due to their dense carpet-forming ability.
- The plant is incorporated in eco-friendly weddings as part of natural confetti, since it's biodegradable and often available in spring.
- Traditionally, wood anemones have been used in storytelling and folklore to symbolize the arrival of spring or the fleeting nature of life.
- These flowers can be used as a natural thermometer as they close up when temperatures drop or when rain is approaching.
- Wood anemone petals are sometimes used in artistic compositions or pressed flower crafts for their delicate structure and aesthetic appeal.
- In some cultures, the wood anemone has been used as a symbol in festivals celebrating spring and new beginnings.
- Some gardeners use these plants as a living mulch that can help retain soil moisture and prevent weeds due to their spreading habit.
- The flowers can be part of a wildlife garden designed to attract and support native bee populations and other pollinators during their early season activity.
- Wood anemones have been used in photography and nature-inspired art due to their photogenic quality and the way they light up under a forest canopy.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiWood Anemone is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Plant Symbolism- Fragility: Anemone, often known as windflower, is a delicate plant, easily affected by wind and weather, symbolizing the frailty and ephemeral nature of life.
- Anticipation: Anemone nemorosa 'Allenii' blooms in spring, symbolizing expectation and the anticipation of new beginnings and opportunities.
- Protection: In ancient mythology, the anemone was believed to bring luck and protect against evil, due to its early blooming which announces the arrival of spring and the end of winter's harshness.
- Forsaken Love: Anemone flowers have been associated with forsaken or unrequited love, according to Greek mythology where the plant was created from the tears of Aphrodite as she mourned the death of Adonis.
- Healing: The Anemone nemorosa has been used medicinally, suggesting a symbolic meaning of healing and soothing of pain.
WaterWood anemones, including Anemone nemorosa 'Allenii', typically require moist, well-drained soil. Water these plants when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. During the growing season, this may mean watering once every week, depending on the climate and weather conditions. It is important to avoid waterlogging, so provide about one gallon of water per square yard each time you water. During the dormant period, which is after the blooming in late spring to early summer, you can reduce watering as the plant requires less moisture.
LightWood anemones like Anemone nemorosa 'Allenii' thrive in dappled shade, mimicking their natural woodland habitat. They can also tolerate full sun in cooler climates, but in areas with strong, hot sun, they should be placed in a location where they receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade to prevent scorching the foliage.
TemperatureWood anemones such as Anemone nemorosa 'Allenii' flourish in a temperate climate. They can survive a temperature range from about 20°F during winter dormancy to a maximum of 80°F in the active growing season. The ideal temperature for robust growth would be between 50°F and 70°F.
PruningPruning is not typically required for Wood anemones like Anemone nemorosa 'Allenii', as they are low maintenance. However, removing spent flowers after blooming encourages more vigorous growth. It is best to tidy up the plant once the foliage has yellowed and died back, which is usually in late spring or early summer.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWood Anemone prefers moist, well-draining soil, high in organic matter. A blend of loamy soil mixed with compost and leaf mold suits it well, maintaining a mildly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7.0.
RepottingWood Anemones are perennials that do not require frequent repotting. They should be repotted if they become overcrowded, typically every 3-5 years.
Humidity & MistingWood Anemone thrives in average humidity conditions, reflecting its natural woodland habitat; no special humidity adjustments are necessary.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow in bright, indirect light with cool temps and high humidity.
Outdoor
Plant in dappled shade, moist, fertile soil; avoid full sun.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleAnemone nemorosa 'Allenii', commonly known as Wood Anemone, begins its life cycle as a rhizome underground, where it remains dormant during the winter months. In early spring, the rhizome sends up shoots which develop into distinctive trifoliate leaves and a single flower stalk bearing a blue-violet blossom. After pollination, which is primarily done by insects, the plant forms seed capsules that will typically ripen by late spring or early summer. Once ripened, the seeds are dispersed by wind or animals, which can lead to the growth of new plants in suitable conditions. Throughout the summer, the above-ground parts of the plant die back, and it enters a period of dormancy again, retreating to the underground rhizome until the next favorable spring season arrives. Each year, the cycle repeats with the rhizome growing larger and potentially producing more flowering stems.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Propogation: The Anemone nemorosa 'Allenii', commonly known as the Allenii wood anemone, is best propagated by division, a process most effectively carried out in the fall after the plant has finished flowering and when the plant is dormant. To propagate by division, carefully lift the clump of rhizomes from the ground and gently separate them, ensuring that each division has at least one growth point or bud. These divisions should then be replanted immediately at the same depth they were previously growing, spacing them about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 cm) apart to allow for adequate growth room. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged to encourage the rhizomes to establish and grow. The process is relatively straightforward and allows gardeners to quickly increase their stock of the beautiful Allenii wood anemone.
