Anemone 'Whirlwind'

Anemone 'Whirlwind': A Spiralling Finale of White Petals and Golden Light

Anemone 'Whirlwind' brings a refined, uplifting presence to the late-season garden with its elegant, semi-double white flowers that flutter like silk pennants in a soft breeze. Each bloom is composed of layered, slightly ruffled petals encircling a bright golden centre, rising on slender, wiry stems above a base of dark green, lobed foliage. A long-flowering cultivar of the Japanese anemone group, 'Whirlwind' begins its show in late summer and carries gracefully into autumn, offering movement, luminosity, and structure when the border craves a final flourish.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 90–120 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm, forming a sturdy, clump-forming perennial
• Flower Colour: Pure white, semi-double blooms with golden-yellow centres
• Flowering Period: Late summer into mid-autumn
• Foliage: Deep green, coarsely toothed, lobed leaves in a low, mounded form
• Sunlight Requirements: Prefers part shade; tolerates full sun with sufficient moisture
• Soil Requirements: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil; avoid overly dry or waterlogged conditions

Uses and Benefits: Anemone 'Whirlwind' adds a note of grace and brightness to part-shade borders and naturalistic plantings. Its crisp white blooms are perfect for softening bold plant combinations, while the semi-double petals offer an added layer of texture and light. The tall, upright stems allow it to weave effortlessly through late-season companions, creating a dynamic interplay of colour and form. Long blooming, deer resistant, and a magnet for pollinators, 'Whirlwind' is both beautiful and functional in layered, wildlife-friendly gardens.

Companion Plants: Pair Anemone 'Whirlwind' with Aster dumosus 'Woods Light Blue', a compact, mound-forming aster covered in soft lavender-blue daisy flowers. Add Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks', whose golden, arching sprays mimic the radiance of Anemone’s centres and infuse the border with seasonal brightness. Complete the composition with Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus', whose fine, arching foliage and feathery plumes lend height, texture, and a soft rustling movement that harmonises with Anemone’s fluttering display.

Care Instructions: Plant in part shade with moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. Water during dry periods, especially in sunnier sites. Deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering, or leave seedheads for textural interest. Cut back after the first frost and mulch in late autumn to protect the crown in colder regions. Divide every few years in spring to maintain health and manage spread.

History: Anemone 'Whirlwind' is a long-established cultivar of Anemone x hybrida, developed in the 19th century through crosses involving Anemone hupehensis and Anemone vitifolia. Its semi-double flower form and pristine white colouring have made it a favourite for over a century, admired for its late-season vitality and refined beauty in a wide range of garden settings.

Final Thoughts: Anemone 'Whirlwind' delivers a gentle, glowing energy to the autumn garden—elegant, upright, and ever in motion. When paired with the lavender haze of asters, the golden burst of Solidago, and the swaying form of ornamental grasses, it becomes part of a harmonious seasonal tapestry. A classic choice for bringing texture and brightness to the year’s final flourish.