Anemone blanda Violet Star

Anemone blanda 'Violet Star' is a bright and sparkling Greek anemone, whose violet flowers are illuminated by a white and yellow throat that attracts both attention and bees. This small tuberous-rooted plant forms flowered carpets from the beginning of spring. Mix Anemone blanda together for a spectacular blend of colours. Plant them in large groups at the base of bushes or deciduous hedges: they multiply easily in well-drained soil. As they are dormant in summer, these small plants do very well in dry gardens without watering.

Anemone blanda is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Ranunculaceae family. Native to mountainous areas of Greece and Turkey, it is sometimes called Balkan March anemone. It is a small plant about 15cm (6in) in all directions, with a spreading cushion habit. It self-seeds spontaneously in light soils. Its delicate foliage somewhat resembles parsley. It is dark green, finely cut, and strongly toothed. The foliage appears early in spring, depending on the climate, at the same time as the flowers fade, and then disappears in autumn, or even in the middle of summer if the soil is dry. The flowers bloom in large numbers, from March to April, depending on the regions, as soon as the first sunny days arrive. In the 'Violet Star' variety, they resemble small daisies wide enough for the species, about 4 to 5cm (2in) in diameter, composed of about fifteen violet petals, with an almost white base. The small heart of the flower is light yellow, just like the stamens. The flowering is followed by the formation of numerous seeds that germinate easily in light soil.

Anemone blanda 'Violet Star' is highly floriferous. It is easy to grow in well-drained soil. It appreciates the sun in early spring and in cooler regions, but likes to be a little shaded in summer in hot climates. This small plant eventually forms large colonies through spontaneous sowing. Spreading as ground cover, it brightens up flower beds, rockeries, or borders from spring onwards and creates charming containers for balconies, patios, and window sills. The flowers of Anemone blanda, in pastel or brighter shades, work wonders under trees and shrubs with spring flowering, especially under apple trees, flowering cherries, and star magnolias. Laden with flowers, but still leafless, their pastel colours echo the enamel shades of the anemones.

A tip: the flowers look lovely with the emerging foliage of peonies in spring.