Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’

Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 15cm

Eventual Spread: 15cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Ranunculaceae

Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a mat forming habit. Its mid green leaves are divided into three toothed and lobed segments, up to 8cm broad and long and appear in spring and die down during the summer months. Its white flowers are solitary, up to 4cm across, have narrowly oblong petals and usually appear before its leaves. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its spread.

Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ Flower (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

The Species Anemone blanda, commonly known as Windflower, is native to Turkey and the Balkans. In its native habitat it grows in deciduous woodlands and scrub.

The etymological root of the binomial name Anemone may be a derivation of the Hebrew word for Adonis. Blanda is derived from the Latin blandus meaning ‘attractive’.

The landscape architect may find Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ useful for planting and naturalising under deciduous trees.

Ecologically, Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ Leaf (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the species Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ prefers moist, humus rich, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ requires little maintenance.