Canada Anemone ~ Anemone canadensis
This anemone is very common in the upper midwest and great lakes area. A native perennial often found on sandy, moist shorelines, as well as prairies in moister lower lying locations.
The large, over 1 inch wide, white flowers are comprised of five sepals, and arise on long stalks above the flower stalk leaves.
The basal foliage is similar in appearance to Wild Geranium. Older lower leaves are dark green and the newer leaves on the flower stalk contrast nicely as they are often lighter green in color.
Canada Anemone is rhizomatous, it spreads quickly if planted in rich, mesic to wet soils. In slightly drier, well drained soils it will not spread as rapidly. This is a great plant to utilize in shoreline plantings.
Many beetles love the flowers that provide copious amounts of pollen - tiny flower beetles will nestle under the stamens and feed. This long horned beetle is a regular visitor on our Canada Anemone.
This ant-like Long Horned Beetle (
Euderces picipes) is a new sighting this year in the yard. Found on many of our woodland white flowering natives. Larvae of this beetle feed on decaying wood of oak, hickory and hackberry trees.
Also the first sighting of the season of Tumbling Flower Beetles. They are many of these beetles on the Canada Anemone flowers feeding on the pollen.
This red-eyed fly is the most common visitor, also feeding on the pollen.
Many native bees also love the Canada Anemone flowers. Small Carpenter Bees, Sweat Bees and Mining Bees are common visitors.
This spider seems to know the flowers are popular with bees and was waiting patiently for one to stop by.
Canada Anemone is native to eastern North America. See map below for range.
