Anemone 'Elfin Swan'

Anemone 'Elfin Swan': A Woodland Whisper in White and Violet

Anemone 'Elfin Swan' is a compact, late-season perennial that adds luminous charm to part-shade spaces with its crisp white blooms and soft lavender-toned undersides. A petite member of the Swan™ series, it shares the elegance and extended bloom period of its taller cousins, but with a low, refined habit perfect for the front of the border or shaded containers. From midsummer into autumn, outward-facing flowers float just above mounded foliage, revealing subtle two-tone petals that shimmer with every breeze.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 30–40 cm
• Spread: 40–45 cm, forming a tidy, mounded clump
• Flower Colour: White with pale lavender-violet reverse and golden centres
• Flowering Period: Midsummer into early autumn
• Foliage: Deep green, lobed leaves with a low, compact form
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade; tolerates morning sun with adequate moisture
• Soil Requirements: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil; avoid dry or exposed sites

Uses and Benefits: 'Elfin Swan' is a graceful choice for edging woodland beds, underplanting shrubs, or adding soft colour to lightly shaded containers. Its neat habit and long-lasting blooms make it ideal for smaller gardens or layered plantings. Pollinator-friendly and naturally elegant, it provides gentle colour from midsummer through autumn and blends seamlessly into woodland-style designs or formal borders seeking a light, airy touch.

Companion Plants: Pair 'Elfin Swan' with Geranium 'Rozanne', whose violet-blue flowers echo the reverse hue of the anemone’s petals while trailing through the ground layer with texture and bloom. Add Heuchera 'Palace Purple' for deep foliage contrast that enhances the anemone’s pale flowers and provides a rich base in part-shade beds. Complete the composition with Pulmonaria 'Shrimps on the Barbie'—its coral blooms and silver-spotted leaves offer bold spring interest and a playful offset to the elegance of 'Elfin Swan'.

Care Instructions: Plant in part shade with moist, well-drained, organic-rich soil. Water consistently during dry spells. Deadhead to encourage continued flowering, or leave seedheads for subtle late-season structure. Cut back after frost and mulch in late fall for winter protection. Divide clumps in early spring as needed to maintain vigour.

History: Bred by Elizabeth MacGregor in Scotland, 'Elfin Swan' is part of the Swan™ series, known for outward-facing blooms, strong stems, and long flowering. This compact selection was introduced as a more space-conscious alternative to larger hybrids, combining the refinement of Anemone rupicola with the resilience of Anemone hupehensis to suit modern borders and shaded corners alike.

Final Thoughts: Anemone 'Elfin Swan' brings soft light and refined structure to shady spots, with its fluttering two-tone flowers and compact habit. When paired with textural and colourful companions like Geranium, Heuchera, and Pulmonaria, it becomes part of a subtly layered, pollinator-friendly tapestry that thrives from summer into fall with minimal effort.