Thimbleweed

Thimbleweed

Botanical Name: Anemone virginiana

En Français: Anémone de Virginie

Perennial

Colour: White

Blooms: Spring - Zone 5

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 long. The flowers are greenish-white. Its ovate or cylindrical fruit is more than 1 cm across.

Excellent spring flower for the shaded or woodland garden. A good choice for naturalized areas or native wildflower gardens.

Other Characteristics

Pollinators: 

Sun/Shade: Full Sun, Partial Sun

Other: Native to Canada

Height:  Up to 3 feet (1 meter) 

Planting and Care Considerations

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.

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

Spread: Up to 60 cm

Water: 

Best Soil: Prefers moist, sandy-humusy soils.

Growth Habit: 

More Information

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.

Links: 

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/anemone/growing-anemone-thimbleweed.htm, https://m.espacepourlavie.ca/en/biodome-flora/tall-thimbleweed-virginiana-anemone