Anemone hupehensis var. japonica Prinz Heinrich

Anemone hupehensis var. japonica 'Prinz Heinrich' offers abundant semi-double to double flowers which are dark pink to purple. The narrow petals are sometimes upright. This elegant perennial plant is a small variety with a long summer and autumn flowering period, producing magnificent flowers on sturdy stems, with open corollas surrounding a wide golden yellow stamen centre. It possesses an indefinable charm and a simple beauty that complements the exuberant flowers of asters so well. It thrives in full sun or partial shade, in moist and rich soil.

The 'Prinz Heinrich' Japanese anemone is a perennial plant belonging to the family Ranunculaceae, and it is an old variety obtained in 1902. It will reach a height of 60 to 80 cm depending on the richness of the soil in which it grows, with a diameter of 60 cm (24in). Like other Japanese anemones, it is a perennial plant with fibrous 'tubers' that form large, vigorous, and rounded clumps. The foliage is deciduous to semi-evergreen depending on the climate, dissected, dark green, strongly veined on the underside, and hairy. The flowering period takes place from August to October, and it is particularly abundant. The flowers are solitary, borne on sturdy and straight stems. They first appear as delightful oval and fluffy buds, purplish in colour, and then open into wide cups with 20 to 30 narrow dark pink to reddish purple petals, which are sometimes upright and measure about 4 cm (2in) in diameter. They surround a wide golden yellow centre densely filled with stamens. Japanese anemones can live for about ten years in the same spot.

The Japanese anemone is one of the loveliest autumn flowers. Light and graceful, it sways gently in the wind, indifferent to the first frost. It decorates the garden or large pots on the terrace from late summer until the first frost. Placed at the back of a border for the taller varieties, it combines its elegant flowering with the grace of Aster cordifolius or Aster laevis, and the nostalgic charm of perennial chrysanthemums. The 'Prinz Heinrich' variety is perfect in the centre or at the front of borders, in front of a hedge of hydrangeas, for example.  The finely dissected foliage of anemones adds a beautiful dark green touch to flower bouquets. It can become invasive if it likes its growing conditions, but it self-seeds easily. It is quite easy to control its growth.