Anemone nemorosa Royal Blue

Anemone nemorosa 'Royal Blue', also known as Wood Anemone, is a precious variety, tinted with captivating lavender blue. Perfect as groundcover, in shaded areas, sometimes slow to establish, it eventually forms interwoven rhizome mats that no weeds can infiltrate. A gift from nature in early spring.

Anemone nemorosa 'Royal Blue' belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. It is a cultivar derived from the Wood Anemone, distributed throughout almost all of Europe, Western Asia, and Northern America. This small plant forms a cushion of 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in height, and spreads over 30 cm (12in) and more. It produces unbranched vertical stems, bearing early in spring, from late March to mid-May, 3 whorled, well-divided bracts, and in their centre a single flower, 3 cm (1in) in diameter. The flower has 6 narrow tepals (sepals shaped like petals) of a rich and deep lavender blue. The throat is adorned with numerous pale yellow stamens. The flower opens to light and follows the direction of the sun. It closes in the evening, or in case of rain, avoiding damage from water by gracefully tilting to the side. All the flowers are oriented in the same direction, creating a particularly harmonious carpet. The foliage of the 'Royal Blue' Anemone is dark green, beautifully contrasting with the delicacy of its blue flower. The rhizome is fleshy and brittle, growing only about 3 centimetres (1 inch) per year. It runs just below the surface of the soil. After flowering, it produces many leaves with three divided leaflets, slightly villous. The flower does not occupy the same position year after year, it moves along with its rhizome.

Plant Wood Anemone 'Royal Blue' in humus-rich, light, not too rich soil, moist to dry in summer, well-drained. This plant requires a shaded and cool location. In nature, the Wood Anemone develops and blooms in spring, when the trees are still leafless. It completes its vegetative cycle in summer when its leaves disappear, corresponding to its dormancy period. This is the best time to plant it under a tree or the base of hedges. It doesn't mind competition from the roots of trees and shrubs.

Anemone nemorosa 'Royal Blue'  is primarily an undergrowth plant. Plant it en masse at the foot of hedges, shrubs, and deciduous trees. Combine it with Anemone blanda, which follows it in flowering and requires the same growing conditions.
In temperate European zones, in forests, where its presence is spontaneous, it is considered (along with lily of the valley) as a bio-indicator of the age and naturalness of the forest. Anemone nemorosa and its cultivars are plants used in phytotherapy and aromatherapy.