Anemone nemorosa Leeds Variety

Anemone nemorosa Leeds' Variety, also known as Wood Anemone, is one of the most beautiful flowers of spring. This variety, with vigorous growth, stands out for its large and delicate white flowers, wider than those of most other white-flowered wood anemones. Adorable perennial of the undergrowth, but sturdy and hardy, blooming early and for a long time in spring, it naturalises over time, eventually forming an excellent, effective and long-lasting groundcover.

Wood anemone 'Leeds' Variety belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae. It is a cultivar derived from the Wood Anemone, widespread in almost all of Europe, western Asia and northern America. This small rhizomatous plant forms a beautiful cushion 12 to 15 cm (5 to 6in) high, and spreads over 40 cm (16in) and more. It produces non-branched vertical stems that produce 3 whorled, well-cut bracts, and in their centre a single flower, 6 cm (2in) in diameter,  early in spring, from late March-April to mid-May. The flower has several oval and tapered tepals (sepals shaped like petals), white, tinged with pink over time. 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 with water by gracefully tilting to the side. All the flowers are oriented in the same way, with the formed carpet being particularly harmonious. The rhizome of the 'Leeds' Variety wood anemone is brown, fleshy and brittle, growing only 3 centimetres (1 inch) per year. It runs just below the surface of the ground. It produces many leaves with three cut leaflets, bright green, matte and slightly hairy. The flower does not occupy the same position year after year, it moves following its rhizome.

The Wood Anemone Leeds Variety, like all its cousins, is ideal as groundcover, wherever shade prevails over light, in moist soil. You can use it at the base of hedges, shrubs, and deciduous trees, but also in shaded borders. Combine it with primroses, botanical daffodils, 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 grows and blooms in spring, when the trees are still leafless. It completes its vegetative cycle in summer when its leaves disappear, which corresponds to its dormancy period. This is the most suitable time to plant it under a tree or at the base of hedges. It is not affected by competition from the roots of trees and shrubs.

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