Snowdrop anemone | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Buttercup
Family (botanic) Ranunculaceae
Tree or plant type Perennial
Native locale Non-native
Size range Small plant (6-12 inches), Medium plant (12-24 inches)
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Soil preference Alkaline soil, Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Occasional drought
Season of interest early spring, mid spring, late spring, early fall, mid fall
Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, White
Shape or form Creeping, Mounded
Growth rate Moderate

Size and form:

Snowdrop anemone is a spreading perennial reaching 12 to 18 inches high. A good plant for naturalizing in woodlands. It can spread aggressively.

Native geographic location and habitat:

Found in meadows and dry woodlands in Europe to Russia, China, and Caucasus.

Attracts birds, pollinators, or wildlife:

Butterflies and other pollinators are attracted to it.

Leaf description:

It has dark green, maple-like leaves with strong lobes that create a fern-like texture.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

This perennial produces cup-shaped, slightly fragrant, nodding, five-petaled, bright white flowers with yellow stamens. Flowers are borne on wiry stems above the foliage in late spring to early summer and bloom sporadically in fall.