Anemone Blanda named Blue Star #5
by J McCombie
Title
Anemone Blanda named Blue Star #5
Artist
J McCombie
Medium
Photograph - Untouched
Description
This piece has been featured in the FAA Group, "Beautiful Flowers ...".
Anemone blanda "Blue Star" is a very atractive tuberous perennial that provides drifts of large, intense blue flowers, up to 2.5 in. across (6 cm). Plants typically grow to only 4-8” tall and feature attractive daisy-like, dark blue flowers, each of which contains 9-14 showy petal-like sepals, but no petals (apetalous). Blooming in mid spring, these daisies are a delight and seem to last for weeks. They show off over the finely cut fernlike foliage and spread out to form a terrific carpet of flowers. Ideal to plant in quantity along paths and borders, even under shade trees. For sheer spring joy, plant a few!
Anemones are variable perennials with rhizomatous, tuberous, fleshy, or fibrous rootstocks. Most anemones produce both stem and basal leaves that are rounded to oval and mid- to dark green. The leaves are dissected and may be hairy. Anemones are grown for their open saucer-shaped or shallow, cup-shaped flowers in many colors. ‘Blue Star’ is a spreading, tuberous perennial with up to 2 triangular or widely oval, 3-palmately compound, 1 1/4 to 4 inch long stem and basal leaves. Small, 3/4 to 1 1/2 inch wide flowers have 10 to 15 showy tepals and are borne in spring. Great for naturalizing. A dry dormancy is necessary after blooming. Native to southeastern Europe and Turkey.
Easily grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Plants grow well in full sun in northern climates, but appreciate some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Soak tubers in water overnight before planting. Plant tubers 2-3” deep and 3-5” apart in fall. Plant tubers closer together for use as a ground cover. Although commonly called Grecian windflowers, these plants will do best if sheltered from the wind. Keep soils consistently moist throughout the growing season. Plants will naturalize by both tuberous rhizomes and by self-seeding (new seedlings bloom the second year). Plants will naturalize over time. May be planted in containers, but should be moved into a permanent spot in the garden in the fall of the year. Plants go dormant after flowering. Foliage may be cut back after it yellows.
Genus name is often said to be derived from the Greek word anemos meaning wind.
Specific epithet means mild, pleasing or charming. The plants and flowers are very charming.
Uploaded
May 23rd, 2022
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