Anemone nemorosa Bracteata Plena

Anemone nemorosa Bracteata Plena is one of those strange forms of wood anemone, endowed with such an exotic appearance that it invariably attracts all attention. It blooms in spring, offering its semi-double white flowers, sometimes splashed with green, which seem to be positioned like water lilies on more or less double collars formed by green petaloid bracts, which are sometimes speckled with white. These flowers are very variable in appearance, so it is difficult to find two identical ones in a large colony. While undoubtedly unusual, this variety is also very elegant and refined.

Anemone nemorosa 'Bracteata Plena' belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae. It is a curious form of wood anemone, found in almost all of Europe, Western Asia and Northern America. This small plant forms a cushion 15 cm (6in) in height, and spreads over 20 cm (8in) and more. It produces non-branched brown vertical stems that appear in early spring, from late March to mid-May, with numerous whorled, oval bracts forming a well-organized collar, and in their centre a single white semi-double flower, 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter. The flower has several oval white tepals (sepal-shaped petals) on the inside, and pink on the outside, the number of which varies greatly depending on the age of the plant: it is not uncommon for the majority of flowers to be single in the first year, with complete doubling appearing later. The throat is green, adorned with yellow stamens. The flower opens to the light and follows the direction of the sun. It closes in the evening, or in case of rain, avoiding damage with water by gracefully tilting to the side. All different, the flowers are oriented in the same way, with the formed carpet being particularly harmonious. The rhizome of the 'Bracteata Plena' wood anemone is fleshy and brittle, growing only 3 centimetres (1 inch) per year. It runs just below the surface of the ground. After flowering, it produces many slightly hairy three-leaflet leaves. The flower does not occupy the same position year after year, it moves following its rhizome.

The Bracteata Plena wood anemone is ideal as groundcover, wherever shade prevails over light, in moist soil. Sometimes slow to establish, it will eventually form interwoven rhizome carpets that no weed will be able to infiltrate. You can use it at the base of hedges, bushes, and deciduous trees. Combine it with botanical daffodils and Anemone blanda, which will succeed it in flowering and require the same growing conditions. In nature, the wood anemone develops and blooms in spring, when the trees are still leafless. It completes its vegetative cycle in summer when its leaves disappear, which corresponds to its dormancy period. This is the most opportune time to plant it under a tree or at the base of hedges. It is not afraid of competition from the roots of trees and shrubs.

In temperate European zones, in forests, where its presence is spontaneous, it would be (along with lily of the valley) a good indicator of the age and naturalness of the forest. Anemone nemorosa and its cultivars are plants used in phytotherapy and aromatherapy.