Thimbleweed

This plant bears a few fine, short, soft hairs. Its stem grows 60 to 100 cm tall and is ramified above the small leaves that grow around the flower (involucre). The basal leaves have long stalks. They are divided into three parts, which are themselves further divided. The flower stalks are 15 to 30 cm...

Botanical Name: Anemone virginiana

Nom Français: Anémone de Virginie

The Basics

Bloom colour: White

Blooms: Spring - Zone 5

Pollinators:

Sun or Shade: Full Sun | Partial Sun

Plant Type: Perennial

Height: Up to 3 feet (1 meter)

Across Canada

It grows well in hardiness zones: 2 to 8

Planting

Meadows, borders, fence lines

Water requirement:

Prefers moist, sandy-humusy soils.

Care

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerates full shade. Prefers moist, sandy-humusy soils. Not as aggressive as most other anemone species.

Pruning

Spread: Up to 60 cm

Considerations

This wild plant is spurned by animals due to its blistering sap. Even deer will avoid browsing the plant because all parts have a chemical which causes pain, blisters and irritation of the mouth that can develop into vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. All parts of this plant are toxic when eaten in large quantities. This plant has expectorant, astringent and emetic properties. Amerindians used a decoction of its roots to treat coughs, tuberculosis and diarrhea.

Native to Canada

Styling and Use

Ferns, false Solomon's seal, may apple, yellow wood poppy, amsonia, asters and sedges