One of the most beautiful perennials in my garden captures the late summer air in it’s grasp and makes the beds smile. Really. As one of the hardiest Japanese Windflowers, the Anemone Robustissima – (tomentosa) is a wonderful plant, and quite easy to grow.
One of the joys of the winter garden has been watching the Anemone’s delightful little seed puffs. Fuzzy, like cotton, the seed puffs are built for easy distribution by riding the wind. While I have had this patch of Anemone’s for almost five years, this is the first winter I have seen the seeds and am quite excited to see if I have newborn baby anemone’s all over my garden in the spring.
Hardy from zones four until eight, Anemone Robustissima was slow to get established in my garden. For two seasons it seemed very water hungry. However, now it is one of the hardiest, densest, drought tolerant plants I have and requires very little attention. 
Generally speaking, this particular perennial is wet and drought tolerant. Attracts bees and butterflies, and is also deer and rabbit resistant.
All season the foliage adds interest and a deep green background for my other blooming perennials. Than suddenly in late August tall panicles shoot up nearly two feet above the foliage. By September, gorgeous pink flowers are waving delicately in the wind – hence the name “Windflower” – and they become the talk of the town. Very few perennial flowers bloom so late in the season, so this wonderful plant gets a lot of positive attention when it shows up in my garden. The bees absolutely adore the flowers; their little legs become so heavy with the golden dust from the Anemone’s flower, I find it amazing they can even fly.
If you want a smile in the garden, plant Anemone Robustissima this season!
