Japanese Anemones

BenDover · February 2020

Any top tips of how to dig up and split Japanese Anemones. I planted them 3 years ago. First year they contained themselves, but they obviously liked where they are because by the second year they were coming up in all over the place, including right in the middle of a hosta. How do they spread and what's the best way of digging up and splitting them. What are their roots like to understand how they spread (so quickly!).

Lizzie27 · February 2020

They spread by underground runners and can be thugs if they like the ground conditions. I keep mine in check by digging all round the clump and severing the roots and also dig out as much as possible the smaller bits that pop up. It's an ongoing battle though.

Hostafan1 · February 2020

I gave up trying to control mine and ended up spending 2 years treating it with roundup.
Any bit of root you leave behind will re-grow.

BenDover · February 2020

Thanks Lizzie. I'm surprised how quickly they got established, which is rather ironic as I've tried to plant them elsewhere in the garden but they never really took. Seems like from your comment that they can handle a bit of brutish control to keep them in check so will get a spade out to them. They are already throwing up lots of fresh new green leaves and some new leaves coming up in more places, so probably need to get on and do it now.

Fairygirl · February 2020

I've never had a problem with them, but I know some people do. Warmer, lighter soil seems to aid their domination, and some varieties are more rampant too. Heavy, colder ground seems to keep them better behaved.
You may find you have to resort to a little chemical control if digging out doesn't work.
Little bits will readily grow, as already said, so it's also worth digging those out as soon as you see them, if you don't want to use a weedkiller.

Lizzie27 · February 2020

I want to plant a new bush rose next to my anemones but a bit worried that the runners will pop up amongst the rose roots which will be a devil of a job to control. I'm pondering whether to dig a trench around them and install some vertical root proof Terram - I've got some left over from another job. Do you think they'll just sneak in underneath though?

dappledshade · February 2020

I have a few Honorine Joubert anemones in my garden. From previous experience of moving them, when they then sulked for a year and refused to flower, I wouldn’t lift and move them again!

Yviestevie · February 2020

I've spent 10 years trying to eradicate them from my garden and they still pop up every year it's a constant battle.

Joyce Goldenlily · February 2020

I had some in a previous garden which managed to get under a wall and appear in my neighbour's garden, which they did not appreciate! I told them to dig them up and I just had to keep trenching beside the wall until eventually I gave up and dug them out, for several years. Such a shame as I like the flowers but they can be invasive. I certainly wouldn't risk planting a rose anywhere near them until you have definitely cleared the area, which could take 2-3 years.

Fairygirl · February 2020

@Lizzie27- they don't run too deeply, so it's probably worth a try with a physical root barrier.
I'd much rather have Jap anemones than roses any day.

raisingirl · February 2020

I find Honorine Jobert is much better behaved than some of the others. The pink ones seem more inclined to run than the white.

Japanese Anemones

Posts