Japanese anemone won't bloom

tanechka16 · February 2017

I have a very healthy looking, well established clump of japanese anemones. Not sure which cultivar but I think it's supposed to be double pale pink. I've had it for about 3 years in a semi shaded spot. It gets afternoon sun. Plenty of good looking foliage and it's spreading. In the fall I get dozens of buds. Almost 2 feet tall. But they NEVER OPEN! I don't get it. The only time I saw a single flower was when I first planted it.

Any ideas about what the trouble could be? Location? Lack of nutrients?

Fairygirl · February 2017

Hi tanechka, as you've said 'fall' I'm guessing you're not in Britain, where most of us are!

They don't usually cause any issues here, and some people find them invasive because they seed around. What's the ground like that they're planted in?

They're normally not fussy plants.A bit of sun is fine and shouldn't cause any issue. Mine are in damp ground as we get a lot of rain, and they get a sprinkle of Blood, Fish and Bone in spring along with the plants around them, and that's it. No other treatment.

punkdoc · February 2017

I think reliable moisture might be the key.

Palaisglide · February 2017

A very invasive plant, mine came from next door under a fence to my side and is very happy growing on rubble and pebbles. It gets full sun and flowers for weeks with no feeding at all. It actually spreads by the roots that spread along the drive into my Herb bed and takes some getting rid of. You need to get every last tiny bit of root out or it comes back. It covers a fence where it grows so apart from cutting it down to the ground in Autumn and putting it in the Council waste never in the compost otherwise it will get all over the garden I am happy to leave it. Here in the NE of England it gets plenty of rain, the fence shelters it and it gets hours of sunlight, ( when we get any). I would think your soil is too rich promoting leaf growth and probably not enough water.

Frank

nutcutlet · February 2017

I agree re the moisture. I've had them get to bud then stop and it's dry here. Some varieties seem more inclined to do that than others. Or maybe some patches of my soil are worse than others.

sujen_subs84038 · October 2023

I have the same problem! I found a website that looks like it has the answer but it won’t allow me access (?!).

Fairygirl · October 2023

There are solutions offered already in this thread @sujen_subs84038, and they're the most common reasons for non flowering. The other is that the plant is too young, so more info would be helpful.
No need for any other websites

sujen_subs84038 · October 2023

I am inclined to go with the lack of moisture—and perhaps too much early morning heat? It is sometimes 30 degrees by 7:00 AM here in Tokyo in the summer. They face east and get lots of sun, but are in shade in the afternoon. It has been around 35 degrees every day for more than 2 months this summer. Sometimes the buds were wilted already when I came out in the morning to water (they perked up within minutes of getting a shower and some water on their soil though— it was amazing). I did give copious water all summer, but perhaps the heat was just too daunting for the poor things. I’m trying not to cry over all those lost flowers (so many buds, so few blooms!) Next year I’ll mulch heavily and perhaps install a drip hose to keep on top of the watering and hope for the best. Thanks for the comments everyone.

Japanese anemone won't bloom

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