US: Anemone 'Honorine Jobert' is Perennial Plant of the Year

The anemone was found in China and other Asiatic countries, as well as the Mediterranean region. The origins gave rise to the common name Japanese anemone. Windflower is another name popularly applied to the plant. This anemone has existed in the English garden at the Royal Horticultural Society in Chadwick at least since 1848. Before then, many of the fall flowering anemone were a very light pink.

Ten years later a new hybrid occurred in Verdun, France, in the Jobert Gardens and was named ‘Honorine Jobert’. Soon this discovery went to England and eventually to American gardens. It was a sought-after cultivar by the time of the American Civil War and since has become a classic perennial in gardens of the world. It is found in borders, cottage gardens, or in formal borders and continues to grow in popularity.

Plants are clump-forming and erect. The long wiry stems make the plant look airy and graceful. ‘Honorine Jobert’ attains heights of up to 4", although most of the time it is 3".

Flowers are bright white with a green center surrounded by a corolla of yellow stamens. In late summer, 2” to 3” flowers of ‘Honorine Jobert’ explode from pink, silvery buds into petaloid-shaped flowers. The flowers are enhanced by the trifoliate dark green textural foliage that stays attractive from spring to fall.

The anemone is a very low maintenance plant. It can be grown in sun or in partial shade. In warm climates it should be in partial shade with protection from wind. Be aware to plant only in early spring or fall. In any location, the plant thrives in humus-rich soil that is well–drained but moisture retentive. It does not tolerate wet, poorly-draining soils in winter. In colder climates, mulch establishing plants. Soils should not be allowed to become dry. The foliage will burn in hot, dry locations.

‘Honorine Jobert’ grows in USDA zones 4 to 8. It seems to flourish without insect or disease problems and deer do not seem to browse this plant. The best time to propagate is winter or spring. In winter they are usually propagated by root cuttings and in spring by division.

‘Honorine Jobert’ goes well with many other annuals and perennials. Since ‘Honorine Jobert’ flowers into autumn the white plant stands out in the landscape and provides accents to the deeper gold, orange, and red colors of the fall garden. They can be companion plants with hostas and ferns and countless annuals.

For more information:
www.perennialplant.org