How to Grow Anemone September Charm

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Anemone September Charm

Anemone × hybrida 'September Charm'

flower

September Charm is a fall-blooming Japanese anemone hybrid prized for its delicate pink flowers and elegant growth habit. This herbaceous perennial produces semi-double blooms on tall, branching stems from late summer through fall. It's an excellent choice for adding late-season color to borders and cottage gardens.

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Example Anemone September Charm timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Anemone September Charm

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Anemone September Charm blooms

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Anemone September Charm dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Partial shade to full sun; prefers afternoon shade in hot climates (4-6 hours of sun daily)
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply 1-2 times weekly during growing season. More frequent watering needed in hot, dry weather. Reduce watering in winter.
📏
Spacing: 18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: Flowers appear in second season; typically 90-120 days from spring growth to peak blooming
🌱
Planting depth: Plant rhizomes 1-2 inches deep; transplants at same depth as container

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Aged manure Peat moss or perlite for drainage Organic matter

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 4-9, with best performance in zones 5-8

4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Dormancy/Spring Emergence

April-May in most zones

Plants emerge slowly in spring with low, leafy growth. New shoots rise from the rhizome.

Wait patiently for shoots to emerge; don't disturb dormant plants. Mark locations to avoid accidental digging. Apply balanced fertilizer as growth begins.

2

Vegetative Growth

June-August

Tall stems with deeply lobed, dark green foliage develop throughout summer. Plant can reach 3-4 feet tall.

Provide support with stakes or grow-through cages if needed. Maintain consistent moisture. Mulch to retain water and regulate soil temperature.

3

Budding

Late August-early September

Flower buds begin forming at the top of stems and on branching side shoots.

Continue regular watering and feeding. Ensure adequate light reaches flower buds. Remove any damaged foliage.

4

Flowering

September-November (8-10 weeks)

Semi-double pink flowers with 10-15 petals open on tall stems. Blooms are 1.5-2 inches across on branching clusters.

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Provide support to prevent stem breaking in wind. Water during dry spells.

5

Senescence

November-December

Flower production slows, stems begin to fade, and foliage yellows as plants prepare for dormancy.

Cut back dead stems and foliage after hard frost. Leave some dried matter for winter protection in cold zones. No fertilizer needed.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Avoid planting near:

Aggressive spreaders like mint Walnut trees (juglone toxicity) Plants requiring full sun in partial shade settings

Common Pests

  • and

    Apply slug baits, hand-pick early morning or evening, use copper barriers, encourage ground beetles

  • Increase humidity, spray with water, use insecticidal soap, prune heavily infested foliage

  • Ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply sulfur or neem oil, remove infected leaves

  • Remove affected foliage, improve drainage, apply fungicide if severe, avoid wetting leaves

  • Ensure well-draining soil, avoid overwatering, remove and destroy infected plants, improve air circulation

Uses

🍳

Not for consumption

Culinary

Anemone September Charm is ornamental only and not edible. All parts of the plant contain potentially irritating compounds and should not be consumed. [source]

🏠

Cut flower arrangements

Household

The elegant pink semi-double blooms are excellent for fresh cut flower arrangements and bring lasting fall color to indoor displays for 7-10 days. [source]

🎨

Dried flower craft

Craft

Flowers can be dried for dried arrangements and pressed flower crafts, providing late-season material for winter decorative projects. [source]

🦋

Pollinator support

Wildlife

Late-season blooms provide crucial nectar and pollen for pollinators, butterflies, and beneficial insects during fall migration and before winter. [source]

🍳

Garden design backdrop

Culinary

Tall stems create vertical interest and an excellent backdrop for shorter plants in borders, particularly valuable for extending the flowering season into fall. [source]

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers for arrangements when petals are just opening and buds are visible. Harvest in early morning for longest vase life (7-10 days). Cut stems at an angle above a leaf node. Leave sufficient foliage on plant for photosynthesis. Anemones are long-lasting cut flowers but are primarily grown as garden ornamentals.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 September Charm is a hybrid derived from Anemone hupehensis and Anemone vitifolia, combining vigor and reliability from both parents.
  • 🌱 Anemone flowers lack true petals—what appears to be petals are actually colored sepals, which is why the blooms are so long-lasting and durable.
  • 🌱 This cultivar was originally introduced by the renowned English nurseryman and plantsman Alan Bloom at Foggy Bottom Nursery in Norfolk, England.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

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