Leveille’s Anemone

A really exquisite anemone, ideal for a woodland planting that will keep it in check, Anemone leveillei is a small to medium-sized, rhizomatous perennial with a spreading habit. It forms a low mound of softly hairy, deeply divided green leaves. From April to June, wiry stems carry single, pure white flowers with a lilac flush on the backs and dusky, purple-blue stamens. The flowers are pollen- and nectar-rich, very attractive to pollinators. Leveille’s anemone will spread rapidly once established, and hates being moved, so choose your site carefully. It must have a moist soil.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil
Position: Best in full sun; tolerates dappled shade
Season of interest: Mid-spring to early summer
Hardiness: Fairly hardy – may need winter protection in colder areas
Height: 2’ (60cm) Spread: 1’4” (40cm) but will spread indefinitely

Photos by Peganum, cropped, and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.