How to grow them

● When you buy them, go for well-grown, good quality, large plants that are mature and therefore establish better. ● Japanese anemones hail from the woodlands of East Asia, so they like moist, semi-shaded spots – but they don’t mind sun. ● They’re hardy and like crumbly, well-drained, humus-rich soil. On planting, add a helping of compost, rotted manure and some blood, fish and bone for good measure. ● They’re delicate looking, but are robust, and can be left untouched, needing no help whatsoever once established. ● Despite being strong, prosperous plants once mature, they can be difficult to get going first off, as they don’t like disturbance. If they don’t like their surroundings, they’ll attempt to creep around underground, looking for the perfect situation. ● They don’t like winter wet, which can contribute to them establishing slowly or dying off. ● They can take a couple of years to find their feet and settle, but once they have, they’ll flower and spread happily, and be one of the most reliable plants in your garden! ● They’ll produce huge clumps if left to their own devices, becoming a nuisance in small gardens, but if you lift some each year they’ll be prevented from encroaching elsewhere. ● The larger varieties and species are best placed at the back of the border as a backdrop to other plants, brightening up crisping and goingover grasses and perennials. ● Japanese anemones look stunning mingled with all sorts of asters, tall grasses, bold plates of achillea and bobbing, feathery thalictrum.