Anemone Elfin Swan - Japanese Anemone

The Hybrid Anemone 'Elfin Swan', the latest addition to the amazing 'Swan' series, is also the most compact variety and one of the most floriferous. Like its sisters, its flowering is early and two-tone, its small corollas produced in abundance shine with a double glazed white-blue-violet, illuminated by a large yellow heart. It is also a sturdy and robust perennial, which proves prolific without being invasive. A fantastic variety planted in groups in cool, semi-shaded woodland.

Anemone 'Elfin Swan' is a perennial of the Ranunculaceae family. More precisely, it is a variety belonging to a series of hybrids called 'Swan', of which the flagship 'Wild Swan' received an award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. 'Elfin Swan' was born in Scotland. This Japanese Anemone, probably resulting from a cross between Anemone rupicola and A. hupehensis, is a new creation full of charm and surprise. Earlier flowering than most other Japanese anemones, its flowers bloom from June-July depending on the climate. 

A hardy perennial, it grows from fibrous 'tubers', like other Japanese Anemones, and over time forms large, vigorous, and rounded clumps. 'Elfin Swan' bears solid and upright flower stems that do not exceed 40 cm (16in) in height. The flowers, produced in large quantities, measure 5 to 6 cm (2in) in diameter and have petals of pure white, washed with blue-violet on the reverse, giving it a very original and cheerful two-tone appearance. A beautiful dark green foliage, composed of three lobed leaflets, serves as a backdrop for these flowers, then disappears at the first frosts. Japanese anemones can live for about ten years in the same spot.

Very easy to grow, this Japanese anemone likes semi-shade and rich, moist soils, with a neutral or acidic tendency. 'Elfin Swan' anemone thrives in light and humus-rich soil. It tolerates brief periods of drought and can withstand morning sun, but fears scorching rays. Ideally, plant it at the edge or in the background of a border, for example.  Choose the right angle from which the flowers will be observed, the ideal being to be able to walk around the plant to enjoy the different pink-blue-violet colours. Persicarias, cimicifugas, hellebores, and shade-loving perennial geraniums make good companions for this adorable perennial.