The Best Way To Propagate Japanese Anemones For A Fall Garden Full Of Color

Japanese anemones (Anemone hupehensis) are excellent fall-blooming flowers that bring color into your yard from August to September. When the dazzling summer blooms have turned, the pink and white flowers of Japanese anemones take center stage. Growing 2 1/2 feet tall with a spread of 1 1/2 feet, these plants make great ground cover and can bring a whimsical, wildflower feel to your garden. But did you know that you can propagate Japanese anemones to create even more fall blooms?

The easiest way to propagate Japanese anemones is through division. You should divide these perennials in spring as they start to come out of their winter dormancy. It may take them a while to settle in and recover, and they may not flower in their first year. However, it will be worth the wait once their fall blooms fill your yard with color the following season! Plus, if you have had your Japanese anemones for a while, dividing them can help their health. Perennials can become overcrowded and overgrown after a few years, and propagating them through division will help to ease this. 

To propagate Japanese anemones through division, dig up the whole plant, trying not to damage the roots. Then, gently tease the clump of roots with your hands to see if you can pull them apart. If they are too stubborn, use a knife or a spade to divide the root clumps. Ensure each division has three or five shoots each. Once you have divided your Japanese anemones, snip off any excess leaves or roots, and loosen up the roots of each new section. This will help promote new growth when they are back in the ground. 

Replant your new Japanese anemones back into your garden, giving each new plant around 4 to 8 inches of free space to allow it to establish itself. Make sure you are watering your new Japanese anemones regularly for a few weeks after planting them to help them settle in.

Whether you are using Japanese anemones as ground cover to choke out the weeds or to bring new hues into your cottage garden, you will have more than enough plants to use after propagating them through division. It may take longer than simply driving to your local garden store and buying ready made plants, but propagating Japanese anemones is easy, cheap, and fun!