Anemone × lipsiensis, commonly known as the Yellow Wood Anemone, is a charming spring-flowering perennial producing masses of soft, creamy-yellow flowers above fresh green, deeply divided foliage. Its delicate colouring has been likened to unsalted butter – a wonderfully subtle shade that sits somewhere between the white of the native Wood Anemone and the brighter yellow of its other parent.

Flowering during March and April and growing to only around 10cm tall, this compact woodland plant is ideal beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, along woodland edges or towards the front of a border. Once established, its creeping underground rhizomes gradually spread to form attractive colonies that return each spring.

• Botanical name: Anemone × lipsiensis
• Common name: Yellow Wood Anemone
• Flower colour: Creamy yellow
• Flowering time: March-April
• Height: Approximately 10cm
• Position: Sun, partial shade or dappled shade
• Soil: Humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil
• Habit: Low-growing, spreading perennial
• Hardiness: Hardy in the UK
• Ideal for: Woodland gardens, beneath trees, borders and naturalising

About Anemone × lipsiensis

Anemone × lipsiensis is a naturally occurring hybrid between Anemone nemorosa, our familiar white-flowered Wood Anemone, and Anemone ranunculoides, the Yellow Anemone. The result combines characteristics of both parents, most noticeably in its beautiful pale creamy-yellow flowers.

Each flower is held on a slender stem above a carpet of finely divided green foliage. The blooms are simple and open, with broad petals surrounding a centre of yellow stamens. When planted in groups, the numerous pale flowers create a soft pool of colour that looks particularly effective in naturalistic and woodland-style gardens.

Perfect for Woodland Planting

The Yellow Wood Anemone is particularly well suited to planting beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. Its growth cycle allows it to take advantage of the light reaching the woodland floor during early spring, before the tree canopy fully develops.

It can also be grown towards the front of borders and in other relatively undisturbed areas of the garden. Although naturally suited to partial shade, it will tolerate sunnier positions where the soil does not become excessively hot and dry.

A Beautiful Early Spring Display

Flowers generally appear during March and April, providing valuable colour at a time when many herbaceous garden plants are only just beginning to emerge. The creamy-yellow colouring is softer than the bright buttercup yellow of Anemone ranunculoides and provides an attractive transition between white and yellow spring flowers.

Planting several rhizomes together creates the best initial display. As the plants mature and spread, individual groups can gradually merge into larger drifts.

How to Grow Anemone × lipsiensis

Choose soil that is moisture-retentive but well drained and preferably enriched with plenty of organic matter. Woodland soils rich in leaf mould are ideal. Incorporating garden compost or leaf mould before planting can help improve lighter or poorer soils.

Although commonly sold alongside spring-flowering corms and bulbs, woodland anemones actually grow from slender underground rhizomes. Plant these horizontally around 3-5cm deep and approximately 10cm apart. If the rhizomes arrive dry, soaking them in water for a few hours before planting can help rehydrate them.

Naturalising in the Garden

One of the great attractions of Anemone × lipsiensis is its ability to increase gradually from year to year. Once settled, its underground rhizomes spread through the surrounding soil, producing new shoots and slowly expanding the colony.

This makes it particularly useful for naturalising beneath established trees, between shrubs and through informal woodland planting. Give the plants space and avoid repeatedly disturbing the soil around them, allowing colonies to develop naturally.

What to Plant with Yellow Wood Anemones

Yellow Wood Anemones combine beautifully with other spring woodland plants, including snowdrops, hellebores, primroses, erythroniums and spring-flowering bulbs. They are also particularly effective when planted alongside their two parent species.

Combine creamy Anemone × lipsiensis with pure white Anemone nemorosa and buttercup-yellow Anemone ranunculoides to create a subtle mixture of complementary shades. All enjoy similar growing conditions and flower at around the same time.

After Flowering

After flowering, leave the foliage in place and allow it to die back naturally. During this period the leaves continue to replenish the underground rhizomes ready for the following year's growth.

The plant subsequently becomes dormant and may disappear completely above ground. This is a normal part of its seasonal growth cycle. Marking the planting area can be useful to avoid accidentally disturbing dormant rhizomes later in the year.

Wildlife Benefits

Early-flowering plants can be useful additions to wildlife-friendly gardens because they increase the diversity of flowers available as insects become active in spring. The open, accessible flowers of Anemone × lipsiensis can be visited by early-foraging insects when conditions are suitable.

Growing it as part of a varied woodland planting with other early-flowering species helps provide a longer and more diverse succession of spring flowers.

Why Grow Anemone × lipsiensis?

• Beautiful creamy-yellow spring flowers
• Flowers during March and April
• Compact at approximately 10cm tall
• Excellent beneath deciduous trees and shrubs
• Suitable for sun or partial shade
• Gradually naturalises through underground rhizomes
• Ideal for woodland and informal planting schemes
• Hardy and perennial in UK gardens
• Attractive finely divided foliage
• Unusual hybrid of two European woodland anemones

Frequently Asked Questions

What colour is Anemone × lipsiensis?
The flowers are a beautiful soft creamy yellow – noticeably paler than the bright yellow flowers of Anemone ranunculoides.

When does the Yellow Wood Anemone flower?
It normally flowers during March and April, producing its display early in the spring gardening season.

How tall does Anemone × lipsiensis grow?
It is a low-growing plant, typically reaching approximately 10cm in height.

Can Yellow Wood Anemones grow in shade?
Yes. They are particularly well suited to partial and dappled shade beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. They can also grow in sunnier positions where the soil remains reasonably moist.

Will Anemone × lipsiensis spread?
Yes. Once established, its creeping underground rhizomes gradually increase to produce larger patches. This makes it an excellent plant for naturalising.

Is Anemone × lipsiensis the same as Anemone ranunculoides?
No. Anemone × lipsiensis is the hybrid between the white Wood Anemone, Anemone nemorosa, and the yellow Anemone ranunculoides. Its creamy-yellow flowers reflect characteristics of both parents.

Compact, hardy and capable of forming beautiful spring colonies, Anemone × lipsiensis is a superb choice for bringing soft creamy-yellow colour to woodland gardens, beneath trees and the front of spring borders.