Wood Anemone Anemone × lipsiensis
ABOUT
Anemone × lipsiensis, commonly known as wood anemone, is a charming flowering plant. It is prized for its striking flowers and foliage, which add a splash of color to the garden in spring. The flowers have a simple yet captivating form, featuring multiple delicate petals that are usually a pale yellow color. They have a distinctive shape that is somewhat cup-like and they often nod gracefully on their stems. At the center of each flower, there's a group of prominent stamens which add an attractive contrasting feature. These flowers bloom prolifically and create a carpet-like effect when planted in large numbers. The foliage of the wood anemone is usually deeply cut and fern-like in appearance, forming a mounded shape. The leaves are a soft green color, providing a perfect backdrop for the cheerful flowers. Overall, this plant is known for its delicate beauty and the subtle yet delightful enhancement it provides to woodland settings and shady garden spots.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae.
Synonyms
No common names found.
Common names
Anemone nemorosa var. lipsiensis
ToxicityTo humans
The plant known as wood anemone is considered toxic to humans if ingested. The toxins include protoanemonin, which is released from the glycoside ranunculin when the plant is damaged. Symptoms of wood anemone poisoning can include irritation of the mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, it can cause blistering of the skin, ulcers, or even respiratory problems. It is important to handle this plant with care and ensure that none of its parts are consumed.
To pets
Just like in humans, the wood anemone contains toxins that can be harmful to pets if ingested. The compound protoanemonin, derived from the glycoside ranunculin, is released when the plant is chewed or otherwise damaged. In pets, symptoms of poisoning can include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and may potentially lead to tremors, seizures, or weakness. In severe cases, ingestion can cause significant gastrointestinal upset and skin irritation. Pets should therefore be discouraged from chewing or ingesting any part of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Anemone × lipsiensis, also known as the wood anemone, adds aesthetic beauty to gardens with its delicate yellow flowers that bloom in spring.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The plant can provide shelter and food for a variety of insects, including bees and other pollinators, which are essential for the ecosystem.
- Low Maintenance: Wood anemones are generally easy to care for and do not require intensive maintenance, making them suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Resistance to Pests: They are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, wood anemones can tolerate periods of drought, making them suitable for gardens with less frequent watering.
- Naturalizing Effect: They spread over time, creating a natural, woodland-like appearance in garden spaces.
- Spring Interest: Wood anemones bloom early in the spring, providing one of the first splashes of color after the winter season.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Anemone × lipsiensis, commonly known as the Wood Anemone, can be used in woodland garden designs to create a naturalistic setting, as it blends well with other shade-loving plants.
- The flowers of Wood Anemone can serve as a natural dye source for fabrics, imparting subtle colors to textiles.
- Due to its attractive early spring blooms, this plant is ideal for creating a seasonal focus in a garden where early color is desired.
- In large plantings, Wood Anemone can act as a ground cover, reducing soil erosion on sloped areas of a garden.
- The charming appearance of Wood Anemone makes it useful for decorating informal paths and walkways, providing a soft edge as visitors pass by.
- Wood Anemones can be planted around the base of trees to enhance the aesthetic of less manicured parts of a landscape.
- When used in cut flower arrangements, the blooms add a whimsical, fresh-from-the-forest feel.
- The plant's tendency to spread can be harnessed for filling in gaps between larger perennials, creating a full garden appearance with minimal maintenance.
- Photographers and artists may use Wood Anemones as a subject to capture the essence of spring in their work.
- Educational institutions might use Wood Anemone in botany classes to demonstrate the life cycle of a perennial plant and seed dispersal mechanisms.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Anemone is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Anemone is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Anticipation and Expectation: Anemones in general are often associated with anticipation and the expectation of something in the future due to their early spring blooms, signaling the end of winter and the start of a new season.
- Fading Hope and a Feeling of Being Forsaken: The myth of Adonis and Aphrodite, in which anemones sprang from Adonis's blood when he died, lends anemones a symbolism related to the loss of loved ones and the fading hope that follows.
- Protection against Evil: In ancient times, anemones were believed to ward off pests and diseases, making them symbols of protection against evil influences and harm.
WaterThe wood anemone should be watered deeply once a week during the growing season, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Each watering session should consist of about 1 gallon of water per square yard to saturate the root zone. During the dormant period, reduce watering to when the soil becomes dry to the touch. Overhead watering is discouraged to prevent fungal diseases; instead, water at the base of the plant.
LightThe wood anemone thrives in dappled sunlight which mimics its natural woodland habitat, but it can also tolerate partial shade. A spot under a deciduous tree is ideal as this will provide the light conditions similar to its native environments.
TemperatureThe wood anemone prefers a temperate climate and can survive in temperatures ranging from 20°F to a maximum of about 80°F. Ideally, the plant should be grown in conditions that fall within the 50°F to 70°F range for optimal growth.
PruningPruning is not typically necessary for wood anemone, as it naturally dies back each season. If desired for aesthetic purposes or to control spread, it can be cut back after the blooms fade, usually in late spring or early summer. Pruning can stimulate new growth, so it's best done soon after flowering.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWood Anemone prefers well-draining, humus-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.0. A mix containing equal parts of loamy soil, peat, and sand or perlite would be ideal, ensuring the proper balance of aeration, drainage, and moisture retention.
RepottingWood Anemones often don't require frequent repotting and do well if left undisturbed. Repotting can be done every 3-4 years to refresh soil, usually in the fall after flowering or in early spring before new growth starts.
Humidity & MistingWood Anemone thrives in moderate humidity conditions, typical of outdoor environments. The specific humidity level is not critical, but avoiding overly dry air, common in some indoor settings, is beneficial for plant health.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, cool temps, high humidity for Wood Anemone.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, moist soil, and protect from winds.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleAnemone × lipsiensis, commonly known as the pale yellow wood anemone, begins its life cycle as a seed which germinates in the soil when conditions are moist and cool. After germination, a root system develops, and a rosette of leaves emerges, followed by flowering stems that bloom with pale yellow flowers in the spring. Post-bloom, the flowers are pollinated, typically by bees, leading to the production of fruit and the release of seeds which then disperse to propagate the next generation. The plant then enters a period of dormancy during the summer with the dieback of aerial parts, relying on its underground rhizomes to survive the warmer months. In the subsequent spring, the rhizomes sprout new growth, and the cycle continues. Throughout its life, Anemone × lipsiensis thrives in partially shaded areas with well-drained soil, and its persistence is ensured through both seed production and vegetative propagation via rhizomes.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The Anemone × lipsiensis, commonly known as Wood Anemone, is typically propagated by division. The best time for this practice is shortly after the plant has finished flowering in the spring. To divide a Wood Anemone, carefully lift the clump of rhizomes from the soil after the foliage has died back. Gently break apart the rhizomes, ensuring that each piece has at least one growth point. Replant the divisions immediately, setting them about 3 to 4 inches deep and spacing them approximately 12 inches apart. It is important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to foster healthy root establishment. This approach allows the new plants to acclimate and establish themselves throughout the growing season, ready to bloom the following spring.
