Wood anemone Anemone nemorosa
Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa) is a deciduous perennial groundcover in the Ranunculaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia (deciduous woodland). It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Wood anemone in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Wood anemone at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe and western Asia (deciduous woodland) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Wood anemone toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts
Contains protoanemonin, which irritates skin and mouth and causes drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Wood anemone
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
See Wood anemone in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (40 plants)
Questions about Wood anemone
- How far apart should I plant Wood anemone?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Wood anemone need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wood anemone need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Wood anemone?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Wood anemone flower?
- From about April for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Wood anemone poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains protoanemonin, which irritates skin and mouth and causes drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea if eaten.
- What grows well with Wood anemone?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wood anemone. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Spring ephemeral: the foliage dies back by early summer and the rhizome stays dormant until the next spring.
- Spreads slowly by rhizomes under deciduous trees.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Hellebore (Lenten rose) Helleborus x hybridus
- Delphinium Delphinium elatum hybrids
- Common columbine Aquilegia vulgaris
- Japanese anemone Anemone hupehensis
- Larkspur Consolida ajacis
- Love-in-a-mist Nigella damascena
- Globeflower Trollius europaeus
- Christmas rose Helleborus niger