Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert' provides a welcome bit of color in autumn. Gardeners have been attracted to this fall-flowering perennial for more than a century. The plant's striking white sepals and bright-yellow stamens cry out for attention. This Japanese anemone was discovered in 1858 by M. Jobert in Verdun, France. He named it for his daughter, Honorine. Soon after, it began to appear in American gardens, where it was prized as a cut flower and tough garden plant.

'Honorine Jobert' features graceful, branching flower stems that reach 3-4 feet. It spreads by creeping rhizomes and can eventually span 4 feet or more. It's a slow grower, though, and takes some time to establish itself in the garden. The upside? Gardeners can go years without digging and dividing.

Production pointers

Japanese anemones are fairy easy to grow, said Mitzi M. Marker, CEO of Sandy's Plants in Mechanicsville, Va. The main problem Marker has dealt with is nematodes.

"A couple of years ago we stopped growing them because the problem was so prolific that we couldn't find clean stock," she said. "We started up again about three years ago with plugs from Skagit Gardens. As a result, we're only growing about five varieties because that's what Skagit grows."

Sandy's Plants uses a traditional, low-tech method to check for nematodes. The staff slices a leaf with a razor blade and leaves the cut pieces in a clear cup overnight. The next morning they use a hand lens to check for swimming nematodes.

Japanese anemones can be easily propagated from root cuttings in fall or early winter, Marker said. They grow best in shade with average moisture.

Garden care

Homeowners will find 'Honorine Jobert' to be relatively carefree. Gardeners should deadhead as needed and cut back to the ground after frost blackens the foliage. Japanese anemone grows best in well drained soil amended with organic matter.

Part shade is best, and will prevent scorching of the plants' dark-green leaves. It's also a good idea to protect 'Honorine Jobert' from wind, which can wreak havoc on its tall, branching stems.

-- Sarah Martinez

SPECIFICS:
Name: Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'
Family: Ranunculaceae.
Description: Slow-growing Japanese anemone that reaches 3-4 feet tall. 'Honorine Jobert' produces clusters of flowers with white sepals and bright-yellow stamens. Foliage is dark green, with basal leaves lightly covered in fine hairs.
Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8.
Propagation: Root cuttings.
Uses: Ideal for perennial borders and cottage gardens. Also used as a cut flower.
For more: Sandy's Plants, (804) 746-7092; www.sandysplants.com. Skagit Gardens, (800) 334-1719; www.skagitgardens.com.

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© 2007 Branch-Smith Publishing