With delicate buds and abundant blooms on elegant stems, anemones are true showstoppers when in flower, while their attractive foliage offers a lovely backdrop even when they’re not. With perennial varieties that bloom in both fall and spring, you can enjoy these precious, wandering flowers for months in your garden.
Anemones are a great addition to any garden, with their beautiful buds and blooms from top to bottom. Even when they’re not in flower, their attractive leaves—often palmate, lobed, and sometimes deeply cut—make for a stunning display. Their graceful stems and flowers sway in the breeze, living up to their common name, “windflower.”
There are almost 200 species of anemones, with both fall and spring bloomers coming in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some resemble small poppies, while others look like daisies with ray-like petals. Their bloom colors vary from soft pastels to vivid reds and blues. Depending on the species, anemones can either grow as well-behaved ornamentals or as vigorous spreaders, thriving in ideal conditions.
From warm climates to cold-hardy perennials, anemones are versatile across various growing zones and garden settings. They can thrive in perennial borders, rock gardens, naturalized areas, woodlands, or even in containers. Both in the garden and as cut flowers, their beauty and ease of growth make them a top choice for planting in October.
Types of Anemone
Anemones are part of the Ranunculaceae family, known for its highly ornamental species, such as ranunculus, columbine, delphinium, clematis, and hellebore. These striking perennials are generally easy to grow as long as they have well-drained soil, which is essential for their health. During their growing season, anemones prefer humus-rich, moist soil, along with some protection from drying winds and intense sun.
Anemones come in various forms, with some spreading through tubers (corms or bulb-like roots) and others through rhizomes (woody lateral roots). Rhizomatous varieties are ideal for fall planting and often overwinter successfully. Some tuberous anemones act as perennials in warmer climates but grow as annuals in colder regions. Both types are spectacular in garden displays and floral arrangements.
Here’s a brief overview of a few common anemone types to plant in October:
Anemone coronaria (Common Garden Anemone)
- Tuberous variety, blooms in spring
- Poppy-like flowers
- Comes in a range of colors
- Excellent as a long-lasting cut flower
- Hardy in zones 7-10
This popular variety bursts into bloom with unique buds in early spring. Plant them in October in zones 7 or warmer, or treat them as annuals by planting in spring in cooler areas. Alternatively, plant them in pots in the fall and keep them sheltered over winter in a cool location like a garage or basement. Outdoors, be sure to cover the tender tubers with protective tunnels to guard against freezing.
Anemone hupehensis and Anemone hybrida (Japanese Anemone)
- Fall-blooming
- Spreads via rhizomes
- Buttercup-shaped flowers
- Underused in landscapes
- Hardy in zones 4-8
These fall-blooming anemones shine in the garden as other late-season perennials begin to fade. The clump-forming perennial sends up tall stems covered in clusters of cupped flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and gold—tones that beautifully enhance the fall landscape. The delicate petals (actually sepals) surround a central cluster of stamens. Plant them in fall or spring to enjoy their attractive foliage, and some varieties even bloom into October and November.
Anemone blanda (Windflower)
- Spring-blooming
- Daisy-like ray petals
- Spreads via tuberous rhizomes and self-seeds
- Hardy in zones 5-8
Anemone blanda forms a low-growing ground cover, creating a naturalized aesthetic. They pair beautifully with spring bulbs such as winter aconite, hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips. The flowers, in shades of blue, pink, and white, whirl above deep green, fern-like leaves. Plant them in October to enjoy their foliage in late spring.
‘Honorine Jobert’
One of the most beloved Japanese anemone varieties, ‘Honorine Jobert,’ is a classic garden hybrid from France, discovered in 1858 as a sport of a pale pink Japanese hybrid. Since then, it has remained a garden favorite.
The wide, bright white petals encircle large, golden stamens around a chartreuse green eye. Its dark green, palmate foliage is covered in fine hairs, giving it a soft texture. The buds appear with touches of pink before opening into semi-double flowers with gently ruffled petals.
‘Honorine Jobert’ offers a profusion of fall buds and blooms on tall stems, which rise above the foliage in clusters. This variety has earned accolades like the Perennial Plant Association’s Perennial of the Year and the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. It flowers for up to two months, starting in late summer and continuing through early fall.
This vigorous perennial spreads easily in optimal growing conditions, making it a great choice for naturalizing. You can also divide the clumps over time to control its spread.
‘Curtain Call Pink’
For a late-summer garden showstopper, look no further than ‘Curtain Call Pink.’ This Japanese hybrid cultivar features delicate rosy-pink flowers with double petals surrounding a yellow button center on sturdy, upright stems.
More compact than other varieties, ‘Curtain Call Pink’ has shorter stems rising above a neat, clumping mound of foliage. Its smaller size makes it versatile enough to fit into various garden spots, including containers, either as a stand-alone feature or alongside other fall blooms. Japanese anemones like this variety steal the spotlight in the autumn garden.
‘Blue Shades’
Also known as windflowers, ‘Blue Shades’ spread easily and form a lush carpet of lilac-blue flowers. This clump-forming perennial propagates through seeds and rhizomes, creating a ground cover with its deep, fern-like leaves.
With its daisy-like flowers and rich blue color, ‘Blue Shades’ is a standout in the garden. The flowers feature a bright yellow center, adding a delicate contrast. This RHS Award of Garden Merit winner should be planted in October, spacing the plants 2-3 inches apart to create a beautiful drift of blooms by April.
‘Fall in Love® Sweetly’
As other summer flowers begin to fade, ‘Fall in Love® Sweetly’ brings a late-season splash of color with its rosy-pink blooms. This Japanese hybrid is covered in semi-double flowers that rise above its mounding foliage, creating a blanket of vibrant color. The petals are accentuated by a bright yellow center.
‘Sweetly’ spreads slowly through rhizomes and is part of the Fall In Love® series developed by Walters Gardens in Michigan for a spectacular late-season display. Pair them with coral bells, ornamental grasses, and sedum to create a stunning fall garden. Their slow-emerging spring foliage is an excellent companion for fading spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and bluebells.
‘Galilee White’
‘Galilee White’ offers poppy-like blooms with strikingly white, delicate petals surrounding a dark midnight center. Its dramatic anthers form a soft, fuzzy ring around the deep core.
These flowers are ideal for cutting and creating long-lasting fresh arrangements, making them a favorite for floral displays. In the garden, they pair well with spring-flowering bulbs for an early-season show.
The Galilee series is known for its high bud count and large flowers. They tolerate shorter days and cooler temperatures, making them perfect for fall planting in zone 7 and warmer. In colder regions, these anemones should be protected during fall in pots, hoop tunnels, or cold frames. For reliable blooms in colder climates, plant them in spring.
Anemone sylvestris
Also known as the snowdrop windflower, Anemone sylvestris spreads vigorously to create a carpet of white blooms above deeply cut foliage. The flowers have pale yellow stamens and are followed by fuzzy white seed heads.
This windflower produces fragrant, slightly cupped blossoms in spring, with a chance of repeat blooming in cooler autumn weather. Snowdrop windflower spreads through rhizomes and can be quite aggressive in favorable conditions. It thrives in rich, moist soils but is more contained in heavier clay soils.
‘Hadspen Abundance’
‘Hadspen Abundance,’ an award-winning variety from Hadspen Garden in Somerset, England, features five rounded petals (actually sepals) with deep pink centers that fade to pale edges. Two of the tepals are slightly darker and smaller, creating a lovely contrast and bounce to the blooms above the dark green leaves.
This variety showcases a chartreuse center surrounded by a ring of yellow stamens. The lobed foliage forms a soft, one-foot-tall mound, while the flowers bloom on gently arching stems that rise two to three times the height of the leaves.
With dark buds that nod before opening, ‘Hadspen Abundance’ provides a long-lasting display, blooming from late July through October, often until the first frost.
Anemone virginiana (Thimbleweed)
Anemone virginiana, commonly known as thimbleweed, is a delicate woodland plant and a native North American wildflower. It produces clusters of starry white flowers from late spring through midsummer. The bright, cupped petals stand out against the rich green, deeply cut leaves, adding charm to shaded woodland settings.
Each flower measures about an inch wide and features a pronounced central mound of stamens in a light yellow-green hue. As the season progresses, these blooms develop woolly, thimble-shaped seed heads that offer unique winter interest. The foliage also turns a reddish hue in fall.
Unlike some other anemones, A. virginiana doesn’t spread aggressively, making it well-suited for rocky, dry woodlands and slopes across its native range in eastern North America. It’s a great choice for shady garden beds or naturalized areas. Sow seeds in the fall for spring emergence.
‘Dreaming Swan’
The ‘Dreaming Swan’ anemone lives up to its poetic name, with nodding buds and white petals brushed with purple on the reverse. This variety hails from Scotland and produces blooms on dark stems that create an elegant, refined look in the garden.
‘Dreaming Swan’ is clump-forming and less invasive than some Japanese anemones, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a well-behaved addition to their flower beds.
This variety has an exceptionally long flowering season, with blooms starting as early as June and continuing through fall. The flowers begin as single blooms and gradually become semi-double as the season progresses, offering continued beauty.
‘Robinsoniana’
The wood anemone variety ‘Robinsoniana’ is a standout with its profusion of star-shaped, single blooms in pale lavender. These flowers bloom in early to late spring, thriving in woodland or shaded areas where they naturalize beautifully under tree canopies.
‘Robinsoniana’ has earned the Award of Garden Merit, thanks to its delicate lavender blooms with creamy gray reverses. These flowers follow the sun throughout the day and close at night, adding a dynamic presence to any woodland garden.
The fine-textured, deeply divided foliage spreads via rhizomes to form a low-growing mat, making it a perfect ground cover for naturalized gardens.
‘De Caen Blue’
Part of the popular Anemone coronaria hybrid group, ‘De Caen Blue’ dazzles with its rich purple-blue, billowy poppy petals. These striking flowers have blue-black stamens and a hint of chartreuse in the eye, with satiny petals that show tinges of white at the edges.
Other colors in the ‘De Caen’ group include ‘Bordeau’ in wine red, as well as pinks, reds, and whites with distinctive color contrasts. Plant the rhizomes in autumn in mild climates, or wait until spring in areas with cold winters to enjoy these beautiful blooms.
‘September Charm’
Despite its name, ‘September Charm’ is ideal for planting in October, when its deeply divided dark green leaves emerge late in spring to fill in borders until the late summer or early fall display.
This variety brings a subtle silvery-pink shade to its two-to-three-inch blossoms. The delicate flowers feature six to nine petals, each with a darker pink reverse, while the dark rose buds open to reveal blushing pink interiors.
‘September Charm’ has large golden-yellow stamens that attract pollinators, making it a pollinator-friendly addition to the garden. Pair this Award of Garden Merit recipient with hostas for a beautiful burst of color among broad-leaved plants.
‘White Splendour’
A lovely workhorse in the garden, ‘White Splendour’ is a white Anemone blanda that produces crisp, daisy-like blooms in early spring. Its cheerful yellow centers are framed by rosy pink backs, which glow among its fine-textured foliage.
‘White Splendour’ looks beautiful in large drifts, forming a naturalized ground cover that brightens the garden before entering dormancy as summer temperatures rise. It also thrives in containers but prefers to spread out in garden beds during the fall.
This award-winning anemone is ideal for planting along walkways, at border edges, or under trees, creating a charming and easy-care display throughout spring.
