Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Anemone hupehensis (Thunb.) Bowles & Stearn var. japonica

Fully-hardy, vigorous, erect, woody-based, suckering perennial with branched stems bearing umbels of semi-double flowers varying in colour from bright purple, almost scarlet, through mauve, to rose-pink and white, from late summer to autumn.  To 90cm.  [RHSE, Hortus].  Anemone x hybrida, a hybrid between A. hupehensis var. japonica and A. vitifolia, very similar and also known as ‘Japanese anemone’, is more common in gardens today.  [RHSE]. 

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This is a beautiful bedding plant, blooming from July to November; grows half-a-yard high, and its fine rose-coloured flowers are particularly showy at the latter part of the season.’  [FC p.131/1850].  Introduced to Britain from China in 1844 by Robert Fortune.  The plant figured, introduced by Fortune, has bright purple-crimson flowers.  ‘A very showy hardy perennial herbaceous plant, flowering towards Autumn, and valuable for its habit of continuing long in blossom at that season of the year.’  [OFG f.5/1854].  ‘It is not only an anemone, but a most beautiful one, not inferior to the Chinese Chrysanthemum, or even the Anemone coronaria of the East.’  [BR f.66/1845].  MB p.25/1847.  FS pl.1 2e Liv./1846. 

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [B.41/1850].  Obtained from Kew Gardens, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King in 1849.  Macarthur indicated that it was not new to the colony.  [ML A1980-3].  It was also requested of John Lindley at the London Horticultural Society on 1st February, 1849.  [ML A2933-1, p.182a]. 

Notes

Published Jan 26, 2009 - 02:54 PM | Last updated Mar 05, 2010 - 09:25 AM

Depicted is a semi-double anemone with bright red flower.  Botanical Register f.66, 1845.

Anemone hupehensis var. japonica (Thunb.) Bowles & Stearn | BR f.66/1845 | RBGS

Family Ranunculaceae
Category
Region of origin

Of garden origin but naturalised in Japan

Synonyms
  • Anemone japonica Zucc. and Sieb. 

Common Name

Japanese anemone

Name in the Camden Park Record

Anemone Japonica 

Confidence level high