JAPANESE ANEMONE 'SEPTEMBER CHARM' IN SUMMER

Not sure why the Japanese Anemone 'September Charm' is called that because it's charming right now, in July, and I suspect it will be for quite some time.  It's covered in buds and flowers, and pollinating insects and really, it's just lovely.  The only problem with it is that it can be a bit pushy, pushing out underground shoots that spring up here and there but really, it's controllable (just pull it up if it's springing up where you don't want it) and not half so much trouble as the neighbour's damn ash trees which chucks down seeds all over my garden and when they germinate, even the tiny ones have roots heading for Australia.  Anyway, back to September Charm, it's just too lovely to ignore and to remove entirely, rain or shine.

Japanese Anemone 'September Charm'

I mention rain or shine because today is Saturday and, here on the Pennine Mountains of West Yorkshire, it is about 17 degrees and chucking it down with rain.  Two days ago, it was 30 degrees plus with dazzling sunshine.  I know we are all supposed to worry about global warming, climate change, and all that but here, in the UK, or at least here on the Pennines, rain and sun is a lovely combination and a blessing for my garden.




Regarding cultivation of 'September Charm' the label it came with said: 'September Charm is a valuable autumn flowering perennial with bright purple-pink flowers in September.  It is suitable for sun or partial shade in rich, well-drained soil.  It flowers late summer to early autumn and achieves a height of 80-90cm (32-34in) and spread of 45cm (18").  After flowering, cut stems down to ground level.'

Japanese Anemone 'September Charm'

I will certainly cut the stems down because, right now, it is overshadowing the lovely Japanese Acer (maple), Acer palmatum 'Katsura'.  Check out the link for the spring colour of the shrub.You can just see, in the bottom righthand corner of the below image, September Charm which is much taller now that the flower stems have poked up. 

Acer palmatum 'Katsura'  - May