Anemone nemorosa Vestal

Anemone nemorosa 'Vestal' is a rare variety of wood anemone, with double flowers resembling small white pompoms. This robust rhizomatous perennial thrives in shaded areas and blooms early in spring. It spreads over time and forms an excellent ground cover between the roots of trees and bushes. It goes underground in the summer to escape the heat but is not suited to dry climates.

The 'Vestal' wood anemone is a perennial plant with a trailing rhizome, belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. It is a cultivar derived from the wood anemone, a botanical species found throughout most of Europe, Western Asia, and Northern America. It thrives in the cool understory and moist meadows, preferring shaded conditions. 'Vestal' is a very attractive form with double flowers, which has been awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society for its ornamental qualities and performance in gardens.

The rhizomatous rootstock of 'Vestal' produces basal leaves in early spring, with 3 finely divided leaflets that are medium green in colour and slightly hairy. In March-April, non-branched stems measuring 15cm (6in) in height bear 3 well-divided whorled bracts with a single double flower in the centre, measuring 3cm (1in) in diameter. The flower resembles a pure white globular star-shaped pompom with a globular pistil. Sometimes, the heart of the flower is touched with golden yellow. The flower opens towards the light and follows the direction of the sun. It closes in the evening or during rain, avoiding damage from water by gracefully tilting to the side. All the flowers are oriented in the same way, creating a particularly harmonious carpet. The rhizome is brown, fleshy, and brittle, growing only 3cm (1in) per year. It runs just below the surface of the ground. The flower does not occupy the same position year after year, as it moves along with its rhizome.

'Vestal' is ideal as a ground cover in moist soil wherever shade prevails over light. It can be used at the base of hedges, deciduous trees, and bushes, as well as in shaded borders. It can be paired with botanical narcissus, woodruff, bleeding heart, forget-me-nots, winter aconite, and lesser celandine, which appreciate similar environments. In nature, the wood anemone develops and flowers in spring, when trees are still leafless. It completes its vegetative cycle in summer when its leaves disappear, corresponding to its period of dormancy. This is the most suitable time to plant it under a tree or to dress the base of hedges. It is not affected by competition from the roots of trees and bushes.

In temperate European zones, in forests where it occurs naturally, it would be (along with lily of the valley) a good indicator species for the age and naturalness of the forest. The wood anemone and its cultivars are plants used in phytotherapy and aromatherapy.

The wood anemone is supplied as a rhizome section packaged in a peat pouch.