Goodies from the Garden: Grecian Windflowers (Anemone blanda)

Anemone blanda 'Blue Shades'

One of my favorite early spring bloomers are Grecian windflowers or Anemone blanda.  I am particularly fond of the 'Blue Shades' mixture.  They bloom early in the spring usually starting in the first or second week of March and continuing easily for almost two months, when our hot weather begins to set in.  I think this fall I will try over-planting a patch of dwarf daffodils, Narcissus 'Tete-a-tete', with some 'Blue Shades' windflowers.

Windflowers can be purchased from many of the major bulb companies and planted in the fall when other fall-planted bulbs are planted.  I have found that like their large cousins, Anemone coronaria, I am most successful with windflowers when I soak their dime-sized tubers overnight before planting.  They are easy to poke in wherever you want them.  Just push your finger into the soil about 2 inches deep and pop it in.  Plant them in an area where they can naturalize and form a mat and you will be greeted with the cheerful blooms throughout the spring.  Hardy in zones 4-8.

Check it out:

• Martha Stewart Article about Anemone blanda
• Fine Gardening Plant Guide
• Windflowers from Brent & Becky's Bulbs
• Windflowers from John Scheepers
• Windflowers from Colorblends

Fave Plant Rant: Edgeworthia chrysantha

Edgeworthia gardneri

Scientific Name:  Edgeworthia chrysantha (syn.:  Edgeworthia papyrifera), Edgeworthia gardneri

Common Name:  Oriental Paperbush, Indian Paperbush

Family:   Thymelaeaceae


This is the first in a new series on entries for Horticouture.  People always ask me what my favorite plant is.  Well, that's like choosing your favorite child (more difficult for some mothers than others).  So, the "Fave Plant Rants" will showcase the plants that I would devote a place in my garden to if I had a limited amount of space.  

Welcome to the launch of Horticouture!

Consider it a new beginning, a rebirth, or a pathetic second attempt at blogging.  Horticouture is the new and improved reincarnation of my previous blog of several years ago (Hortus odorifera).  I've uploaded a few posts from the old blog that are still relevant.  Enjoy!

Oh an please feel free to send me your feedback.  I would love to hear what you have to say!