Native anemones

Janet Galpin and Oliver Patterson decoy.farm@zetnet.co.uk
Mon, 21 Apr 2003 15:18:59 PDT
The message <3.0.5.32.20030420170842.00849c20@127.0.0.1>
from Jane McGary <janemcgary@earthlink.net> contains these words:

> In response to Janet Galpin's introduction, Diana Chapman mentioned Anemone
> deltoidea. This species is widespread in northwestern North America and is
> native in the woods on my property, though not in the masses Diana
> mentioned. It is extremely similar in general appearance to A. trifolia
> from Europe, which I grow in the garden without any special siting.

> The most common native anemone around here, however, is A. oregana, which
> grows at mid elevations in the Cascade Mountains (and elsewhere) in
> moderate to deep shade, usually in low spots where snow and moisture
> linger. It is similar in habit and general appearance to A. nemorosa and
> has the same type of rhizome. Like A. nemorosa, it is variable in color:
> usually light blue, but there are darker blues (I have one of those here),
> pink shades, and whites. It can be handled in a nursery situation just like
> A. nemorosa; I'm surprised it is not more widely seen in gardens.


Thanks for this explanation. You anticipated a question that I have
asked in the other thread, before seeing your message. It does, as you
say, seem surprising that A. oregana isn't cultivated more often. The
various forms of A. nemorosa are quite popular in UK.

> Janet and I have corresponded earlier about Anemone palmata from the
> Iberian Peninsula.


Yes, and I am very grateful indeed for the seed you sent, which has
produced a young plant that has successfully over-wintered in my
greenhouse. Some more have germinated, too, from more recent sowing.


 It has wonderful succulent leaves, all basal, and rather
> tall stems bearing the most brilliant yellow, large "daisy-type" flowers.
> Its rhizome is a fingerlike one that can be divided up carefully. It would
> be a perfect plant for warm Mediterranean-climate areas, but it has failed
> outdoors here even in a warmer than average winter. It grows splendidly in
> the bulb frame, though.

This seems to match all other reports except oddly a curiousl entry by
Farrer in 'The English Rock Garden'. He wrote, "Contrary to
expectations, A. palmata is perfectly hardy in England, and though in
nature a drought-loving species, it even makes happy shining masses in
weeping Westmoreland. It is a plant, accordingly, of conspicuous value
for the garden, where room can be allowed for it to spread, in some
sunny bank of deep rich soil, assisted with a little sandy peat, and
perfectly drained. But, indeed, even in Lancashire, one sees it growing
freely as a border plant on warm exposures".
This was 1928, so I am not sure what has become of all these banks of A.
palmata in Lancashire!

Have you found that it needs to be kept quite dry?


Janet, Lincolnshire, UK, Av min temp -6


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