Anemone nemorosa Lychette

Anemone nemorosa 'Lychette' (syn. 'Lytchett'), also known as Wood Anemone stands out for its tall size, with flowering stems reaching 40cm (16in) in height. It also produces larger white flowers than the typical variety, forming very bright patches in the shaded areas of the garden. This beautiful woodland perennial blooms early and for a long time in spring, and naturalises over time, eventually becoming an excellent, effective, and long-lasting groundcover.

Anemone nemorosa 'Lychette' belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae. It is a cultivar derived from Wood Anemone, which is found throughout most of Europe, Western Asia, and Northern America. This small plant forms a beautiful cushion 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18in) tall, and spreads over 40 cm (16in) or more. It produces unbranched vertical stems that bear early in spring, from late March-April to mid-May, 3 whorled, well-cut bracts, and in their centre a single flower, 5 cm (2in) in diameter. The flower has several oval white tepals (sepals shaped like petals), sometimes tinged with pink. The throat is adorned with numerous 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 from water by gracefully leaning to one side. All the flowers are oriented in the same way, creating a particularly harmonious carpet. The rhizome of Anemone 'Lychette' is brown, fleshy, and brittle, growing only 3 centimetres (1 inch) per year. It runs just below the surface of the soil. It produces numerous leaves with three dissected leaflets, a vibrant green colour, matte, and slightly hairy. The flower does not occupy the same position year after year, it moves following its rhizome.

Wood Anemone Lychette, like all its relatives, is ideal as groundcover, wherever shade prevails over light, in moist soil. It can be used at the base of hedges, bushes, and deciduous trees, as well as in shaded borders. Combine it with botanical narcissus, forget-me-nots, and blue, violet, white, or pink Anemone blanda, which will succeed it in flowering and require the same growing conditions. In nature, the Wood Anemone develops and blooms in spring, while the trees are still leafless. It completes its vegetative cycle in summer when its leaves disappear, which corresponds to its period of dormancy. This is the most favourable time to plant it under a tree or the base of hedges. It is not affected by competition from tree and shrub roots.

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

The Anemone nemorosa comes in the form of a rhizome section packaged in a compost pouch.