Red Anemone (Anemone multifida)

Red anemone is found in northern Michigan in sandy/gravelly soil on sand dunes with creeping juniper, ground cherry, bearberry and other dune specialists. 

Several nurseries in southern Michigan grow this plant and we love it! It’s a great edge species for the sunny or part-shade garden as is is 12-15” tall. 

The leaves are silky and deeply cut/lobed (earning this plant its other commo name—Cutleaf Anemone). The red petals are quite ephemeral and are replaced with a small cylindrical seed head after pollination that fluffs out as it ages. Each seed is surrounded by fluff which helps it move in the wind. In other regions, the flowers of this plant may be white, pink, or red.

There is not a lot of information online about the species that pollinate these plants, but it is found in northern, mountainous and boreal habitats across North America. 

Red Anemone (Anemone multifida)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Red anemone

Height: 6-18”

Bloom time: May-June

Soil: sand, loam

Plant spacing: 6-12”

Flower: red/maroon

Life cycle: perennial

Family: Ranunculaceae

Michigan native: yes

Seed source: Michigan