Wood Anemone
Anemone quinquefolia
Formerly Anemonoides quinquefolia · also Anemonanthea quinquefolia
Also known as American Wood Anemone, Nightcaps
Climate Match for your location
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A delicate spring ephemeral with white or pale pink flowers that blooms early in woodlands before trees leaf out. It spreads slowly via rhizomes to form charming colonies on the forest floor.
Why grow it
Wood anemone offers reliable early spring color in shaded woodland settings where many other flowering plants cannot establish. Unlike taller spring ephemerals, its low stature makes it well-suited to understory positions beneath deciduous trees, and it requires minimal maintenance once established. It blooms slightly earlier than related species like Anemone canadensis, making it useful for extending the spring ephemeral season in temperate forests.
Watch out for
This species spreads gradually, so establishing visible colonies may take several seasons. Success depends on consistent moisture during the growing season and shade levels matching its native understory habitat, as excessive sun or drought stress will limit performance. Transplanting established colonies can be disruptive to the rhizome system, so patience with seeds or nursery-grown starts typically yields better results.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A delicate spring ephemeral with white or pale pink flowers that blooms early in woodlands before trees leaf out. It spreads slowly via rhizomes to form charming colonies on the forest floor.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Wood Anemone grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Wood anemone offers reliable early spring color in shaded woodland settings where many other flowering plants cannot establish. Unlike taller spring ephemerals, its low stature makes it well-suited to understory positions beneath deciduous trees, and it requires minimal maintenance once established. It blooms slightly earlier than related species like Anemone canadensis, making it useful for extending the spring ephemeral season in temperate forests.
Watch out for
This species spreads gradually, so establishing visible colonies may take several seasons. Success depends on consistent moisture during the growing season and shade levels matching its native understory habitat, as excessive sun or drought stress will limit performance. Transplanting established colonies can be disruptive to the rhizome system, so patience with seeds or nursery-grown starts typically yields better results.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
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