Anemone hybrida Honorine Jobert

Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert' is a marvel. This old variety, discovered in a garden in Verdun by a certain Mr. Jobert between 1858 and 1860, is exceptionally vigorous and floriferous. Mr Jobert gave his daughter's name to this exuberant and candid anemone, which is large in size and produces very beautiful single flowers, in large, bright white cups with a crown of long yellow stamens. With perfect simplicity, the flowering emerges from a particularly prolific and sturdy plant. Its growth sometimes needs to be controlled.

The 'Honorine Jobert' Japanese anemone belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. It reaches a height of 1.2 to 1.8m (4 to 6ft), depending on the richness of the soil, with a diameter of 60cm (24in). Like other Japanese anemones, it is a perennial plant with fibrous "tubers" that form large, vigorous and rounded clumps, which can occupy a large surface area on the ground over time. The foliage is deciduous to semi-evergreen depending on the climate. It is deeply lobed, dark green, strongly veined on the underside, and more or less pubescent. It is very downy when it unfurls. The particularly abundant flowering takes place from August to October. The flowers are solitary, 7cm (3in) wide, and borne on strong, upright stems. They first appear as delightful oval and downy buds, then open into flared cups with 11 pure white petals, with a pink reverse. They surround a wide golden yellow heart, densely filled with stamens. Japanese anemones can live for about ten years in the same location.

The beautiful 'Honorine Jobert' deserves a place in every garden, from white gardens to herbaceous borders. Plant it in semi-shade and in soil that remains moist. This variety is one of our favourites, as you may have guessed. However, this plant does have a slight weakness: it does not tolerate the presence of limestone in soil. It adorns the garden or patio from the end of summer until the first frosts. When planted in the back of borders, it blends its elegant flowering with the grace of Aster cordifolius or Aster laevis, and the nostalgic charm of perennial chrysanthemums. The 'Honorine Jobert' variety is perfect in the background of flower beds, in front of a hedge of hydrangeas, for example. The lightness of its flowers goes well with shade-tolerant grasses, like Pennisetum alopecuroides. The finely cut foliage adds a beautiful dark green note to flower bouquets. Sometimes invasive if it is happy, it easily self-seeds. It is quite easy to limit its growth.