Anemone Splendens - Compact - ORG

Just as many summer flowers are slowly past their peak, Anemone ‘Splendens’ really starts to come into its own. Single, deep pink to rose-red flowers with a bright yellow center appear on sturdy, slender stems. They sway gently in the breeze and give the border a relaxed, natural look at the end of summer.

At about 60 to 70 centimeters, ‘Splendens’ remains relatively compact for an autumn anemone. This makes it easy to fit among other perennials, and it looks lovely in the center of a border. Pair it, for example, with ornamental grasses, asters, Echinacea, or other late-blooming perennials. The pink flowers stand out beautifully against fresh green foliage and softly changing autumn leaves.

What does ‘Splendens’ need?

Plant this anemone in full sun or partial shade. The plant thrives in humus-rich soil that retains sufficient moisture but allows excess water to drain away easily. Once well-established, it forms a sturdy clump that sprouts anew each year.

'Splendens' requires little maintenance beyond that: water weekly during prolonged summer droughts, and simply leave the spent stems in place in the fall. They protect the garden from frost damage and provide insects with a shelter for the winter. Wait until early spring (March), as soon as you see the first new shoots appear, to cut back the old plant debris to about 5 to 10 cm above the ground. This allows the plant to effortlessly make room for fresh, new foliage.

The open flowers are also easily accessible to bees and other pollinators. Precisely because ‘Splendens’ blooms late in the season, it adds color and nectar to the garden when many other plants have already finished blooming.

A wonderful perennial for those who want to extend the gardening season a little longer.