Anemone hupehensis var. japonica Fantasy Pocahontas

Ideal for borders, this hybrid Japanese anemone known as Anemone hupehensis var. japonica 'Fantasy Pocahontas' forms a compact, low-growing clump that is covered in single, silvery pink flowers with golden centres from late summer to autumn. Thriving with health, it is also remarkably floriferous. This very hardy perennial, with its timeless charm, will brighten up shady areas of the garden, even in shade or woodland. It should be planted in cool, humus-rich soil that is not too chalky.

Japanese anemone 'Fantasy Pocahontas' is a particularly floriferous perennial, awarded at Plantarium 2012, belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. Descendant of Anemone hupehensis, native to central and western China, this low-growing, compact variety will not exceed 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) in height depending on the richness of the soil it is planted in, with a diameter of 30 cm (12in). Like other Japanese Anemones, it is a perennial plant with fibrous 'tubers' that form large, vigorous, rounded clumps. The foliage of this variety is particularly healthy and resistant to diseases. It is deciduous to semi-evergreen depending on the climate, highly dissected, dark green, strongly veined on the underside, and more or less pubescent. The flowering period runs from August-September to November. The flowers are solitary, carried by sturdy, slender, upright stems. They first appear as delightful, oval, fluffy buds in pink, then open up into loosely cup-shaped flowers with 20 to 30 narrow, scooped petals, with slightly twisted central petals. Their colour is a very fresh silvery pink, surrounding a wide crown of yellow-orange stamens. Japanese anemones can live for about ten years in the same location.

The Japanese anemone is one of the most beautiful flowers of autumn. Light and graceful, it sways gently in the wind, indifferent to the first frost. It decorates the garden or large pots on the terrace from late summer to the first frosts. Perfect at the back of a border for the taller varieties, it combines its elegant flowering with the grace of Aster cordifolius or Aster laevis, and the nostalgic charm of perennial chrysanthemums. The 'Fantasy Pocahontas' variety is perfect in the center or at the edge of a border, in front of a hedge of hydrangeas and spindle trees. Lastly, the finely dissected foliage of the anemones adds a beautiful dark green touch to flower bouquets. Sometimes invasive if it is happy, it self-seeds easily. It is quite easy to limit its spread.