Content Detail

Snowdrop anemone is a spring-blooming, spreading perennial with slightly nodding, white flowers that rise above dark green maple-like foliage. It’s an excellent addition in a woodland garden.

  • 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.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

The plant produces fluffy seed heads.

Plant care:

Snowdrop anemone grows best in part shade in loose, well-drained, alkaline soil. It is tolerant of clay soil, which slows down the sometimes aggressive spread that occurs by rhizomes. Divide snowdrop anemone in spring or fall.

List of pests, diseases and tolerances:

There aren’t any serious insect or disease problems, although overly wet soil can cause root rot. It is resistant to rabbits and deer.

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