PLANT of the week

Japanese anemone

This striking plant is tall – 3-5ft, though there are a few shorties at 2-3ft – with upright stems topped by large, bold single or semi-double flowers in white or pink.

It’s one of my must have herbaceous flowers, invaluable for its long flowering season from the end of July almost up to the first frosts of autumn in late September or October, though they are at their peak in August when borders need a boost.

They are happy in sun or light shade and any reasonable garden soil as long as it’s not too badly drained. They are easy to grow but might take a year or two to settle in. Cut down dead flower stems when flowering is finished or when tidying the garden in spring. Old plants don’t need dividing but when they spread too far, dig up surplus clumps and move them.