Anemone flaccida 'Suzuka Hime'

Faccid Anemone  Ranunculaceae

A choice miniature Japanese form of Anemone flaccida, and one for the woodland garden rather than the back of the border. ‘Ginpai’ belongs to the dwarf ‘Suzuka’ type, producing low, spreading colonies from slender rhizomes. Its pale green, deeply lobed foliage appears early in spring, followed by semi-double, white with hint of pink flowers with yellow centres — considerably more petal-rich than the wild form, but not the full-on pom-pom of ‘Futabazuru’. 

The Japanese name Ginpai suggests silver cup, an apt description for those gleaming white flowers held just above the fresh foliage. It remains particularly small, generally around 15–20 cm, making it excellent for a shady trough, rock garden or the front of a woodland planting. Given moist, humus-rich soil and partial shade, it is surprisingly vigorous and can spread rapidly to make a handsome patch. 

A genuine spring ephemeral, disappearing after flowering and happy to return the following year without demanding much attention. Keep it cool and moist while in growth, allow it to become drier once dormant, and resist the temptation to plant it somewhere where its enthusiasm will be regarded as a character flaw.

H7 – below –20°C
Height: 15–20 cm
Spread: 30–50 cm
Flowers: March–April
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well drained
Aspect: Partial shade
Habit: Rhizomatous, rapidly spreading
Flower: Semi-double, pure white with yellow centre