Anemone blanda

Grecian Windflower
Anemone blanda
Type: Tuberous Perennial, Annual
Exposure: Part Shade
Water: Regular

There are a couple of refreshing details about today’s plant. First, this tuberous perennial actually performs better in cold winter / hot summer climates. Second, the common name actually sounds sort of cool, for a change.

The tubers produce a spreading mat of lobed, slightly hairy leaves which send up 4-8in (10-20cm) tall flower stalks bearing sky blue, daisy-like flowers, with a cluster of yellow stamens at their centers. Color mixes are available, featuring white, blue, pink and reddish-violet varieties (see bottom picture, above). Sunset’s Western Garden Book suggests that anemone blanda be treated as an annual in warm winter / cool summer regions, as they tend to be short lived in these locations. Oh, and they make great container plants.

Cheers,

John