The garden is taking on its autumn hues and late-flowering plants dominate while early bloomers fade. Japanese anemones are favourites for the middle or back of the border where their tall stemmed open flowers, filled with yellow stamens bloom for several weeks.

Usually pink or white, there are several varieties of these long-lived plants to choose from some of which are more easily available than others.

There are two species, Anemone xhybrida and Anemone hupehensis, the latter group usually being shorter growing than the former.

The semi-double pink Anemone x hybrida 'Queen Charlotte' (sometimes listed as Konigin Charlotte) is popular as is the viogorous growing single white 'Honorine Jobert'.

'Whirlwind' has semi-double white flowers while 'Luise Uhink' is considered by some to be the best single white variety.

Free-flowering pink 'September Charm' is shorter than other varieties in this group as is the white flowered 'Andrea Atkinson' while darker flowers are carried by 'Bodnant Burgundy' and 'Loreley'.

Anemone hupehensis 'Bressingham Glow' and A.h. var. japonica 'Rotkappchen' are both low growing, reaching between 45cm to 60cm tall and with semi-double deep pink flowers. 'Pamina' is a little taller with single deep pink flowers as are 'Praecox' and 'Hadspen Abundance', the latter having interesting flowers with alternate dark and pale pink petals.

Japanese anemones are usually grown in sun and well drained soil although I have found them to do at least as well in damper conditions and part shade or even in full shade at the foot of a garden shed.

They dislike being moved and may take years to flower again after being divided so increase stock by raising pot grown plants from root cuttings.

Alternatively, collect ripe seed and sow in trays in a cold frame pricking them out when big enough. The new plants should flower in their second year but may not be like the parent plant.

Updated: 10:27 Saturday, August 24, 2002