Anemone sylvestris

‘Madonna’

THE SNOWDROP ANEMONE

Anemone sylvestris ‘Madonna’
THE SNOWDROP ANEMONE

Anemone sylvestris ‘Madonna’ is a delightful and dainty spring Windflower – made extra special by its sweet fragrance.

Plump buds open to nodding white cups – like Snowdrops

The blooms are delightful at every stage.
Plump buds open to nodding white cups (sometimes with a pinkish blush to the backs) – giving the common name of “The Snowdrop Anemone”.

Then open to sparkling white stars

Then they look up at you and mature to sparkling, snow white stars.
Each adorned with a central boss of yellow stamens.

With a delightful soft scent

Few of the Windflower family have scent, but Anemone sylvestris ‘Madonna’ is an exception.
The blooms have a delightful, sweet, soft scent – the essence of spring.

The essence of spring scent & charm

Many Windflowers are autumn bloomers, but The Snowdrop Anemone is a spring and early summer treat of flowers and scent.

Flocks of snowdrops & stars – prolific bloomer

The Snowdrop Anemone is also a prolific bloomer, covering itself with snowdrops and stars.

Pretty & neat perennial foliage mound

Anemone sylvestris ‘Madonna’ is also a lovely foliage plant.
Forming a lush mound of deeply divided, dark green leaves.
And it is thickly clothed with foliage, so it is an attractive plant year round, even when not in flower.

Pretty cotton-wool summer seed heads too

Even the late summer seed heads are pretty – looking like flocks of floating cotton-wool balls.
And the white fluffy heads show so well against the deep green foliage.
Never a dull moment with The Snowdrop Anemone.

Pretty & scented cut flower

Stems are long enough to cut for smaller vases and bouquets.
Lasting well – with a vase life of approx 7-9 days.

One of the best groundcovers for shade 

Anemone sylvestris ‘Madonna’ is a natural born woodlander.
So it adores the Dappled Light & Shade under trees and shrubs, or shaded gardens.
Where it gently clumps to form a dense groundcover, that can effectively suppress weeds.
It is not invasive like Japanese Windflowers, but can be mass planted to form a dense carpet.

Evergreen groundcover under trees & shrubs

Each clump forms a low mound approx. 25cm. High, with the blooms held clearly above.
And densely clothed with foliage spreading approx. 30-45cm. Wide.
(Depending on soil – rhizomes will spread more in sandy, loose soil; and less in heavy clay – though it grows happily in both).

Long-lived perennial

Anemone sylvestris ‘Madonna’ is a particularly long-lived and robust growing, evergreen perennial.
So it will be a highlight in your shaded areas for many years.

Bumper frost hardy

And can withstand frost temperatures down to a stonking -30°C.

Also tolerates summer humidity

Plus tolerate summer humidity.
With a native range from Siberia to Italy – The Snowdrop Anemone can deal with just about anything.

Easy to grow and low maintenance groundcover

It is easy to grow in suitably shaded conditions, and does not need pruning or regular maintenance.
And is rarely if ever troubled by any pests or diseases.

Promote a 2nd blooming if you like

The only work you may like to do if you are a very tidy gardener – is to shear back the foliage to the ground after flowering – to promote a second crop of blooms and fresh growth on those very pretty leaves.
But if you don’t get around to it – no problem – no guilt – it won’t tell.

Rabbit & deer resistant

The Snowdrop Anemone is not to the taste of rabbits and deer, as the plants have an acrid, bitter taste.

While bees can’t resist those pollen laden centres

Honeybees, as well as many native bees, simply can’t resist those pollen laden, central yellow bosses of stamens.

Grows well in wide range of soils – from sandy to clay

Anemone sylvestris ‘Madonna’ thrives in any normal garden loam conditions, plus does well in a wide range of more challenging soils, from sandy to clay.
And it tolerates soils of a wide range of pH – from acid, to neutral, to alkaline, and lime soils.
But if necessary – it can also grow in heavier clay soils.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Sow Anemone sylvestris ‘Madonna’ seeds at any time indoors in a punnet, whenever suitable temperatures can be provided (15-18°C).
OR
Sow directly in garden in autumn or spring.

Sowing indoors for maximum germination & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet, on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently press the seeds to the surface of the mix to ensure good contact, but barely cover with finely sieved mix or some fine vermiculite.
But do not bury deeply, as these seeds need light to germinate (hence the vermiculite is good as light gets through).

Now stand the sown punnet in a shallow water bath and allow the moisture to soak through the mix from below until the surface is moist.

Then drain and place in a well-lit position. (But NOT in any direct sunlight, as this will dry the seeds out and prevent germination).

Temperatures of  15-18°C are ideal for optimum germination.
You can use a temperature controlled heat mat if you have one, to maintain optimum warmth.
(Temperatures above 20°C may hinder germination).

Continue to keep the punnet and surface of the mix consistently moist but not wringing wet.
Because these seeds resent drying out – this will hinder germination.
So mist regularly from a spray water bottle, and re-soak if necessary.

Seeds like consistent moisture

Covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid or plastic bag will also help to maintain consistent moisture.
But remove as soon as sprouts show.

Seeds usually begin to sprout in 12-18 days.
But some seeds may take longer – so do not discard the punnet quickly.
It is a natural defence of this plant to stagger seed germination – so some offspring have a sporting chance of germinating into most favourable conditions

If there is no show – the seeds have entered natural dormancy.
So wrap the moist punnet in cling-wrap or a plastic bag.
And keep in fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks minimum, or even longer if you can.

Then remove, unwrap, and return to a well lit, (but no direct sunlight) position.
At temperatures around 15-18°C, and not above 20°C, for germination.

Seed Count: 15 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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