How to Grow Japanese Anemone 'Pamina'

Wikimedia Commons

Japanese Anemone 'Pamina'

Anemone × hybrida 'Pamina'

flower

Pamina is a semi-double flowering cultivar of Japanese anemone featuring deep pink petals with a prominent dark center. This herbaceous perennial blooms in late summer to fall, reaching 2-3 feet tall with attractive lobed foliage. It's a reliable garden performer that naturalizes well in partially shaded spots.

When should you plant Japanese Anemone 'Pamina' in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Japanese Anemone 'Pamina' timeline →

Example Japanese Anemone 'Pamina' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Japanese Anemone 'Pamina'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Japanese Anemone 'Pamina' blooms

    Mid-to-late summer

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Japanese Anemone 'Pamina' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Partial shade to dappled sunlight; 3-5 hours of indirect sun daily. Tolerates full shade but flowers more abundantly with some sun.
💧
Water: Moderate moisture, especially during growing and flowering seasons. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply during dry spells; mulch helps retain moisture.
📏
Spacing: 18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: Blooms appear in second year; full maturity in 3-4 years
🌱
Planting depth: Crown at soil level; do not bury the growing crown

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, fertile and rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Aged manure Leaf mold Peat moss or coco coir

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-8, hardy to zone 4 with winter protection

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

Sign up free to see if Japanese Anemone 'Pamina' grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Japanese Anemone 'Pamina' timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Establishment (Year 1)

4-6 months

Plant develops a root system and basal foliage clump with lobed, deeply cut leaves. Little to no flowering.

Keep soil consistently moist. Mulch around the base. Deadhead any early flower buds to encourage root development. Fertilize lightly with balanced fertilizer.

2

Vegetative Growth (Early Summer)

May-June

Dense mounding habit develops with multiple stems emerging. Foliage is lush, deeply lobed, and green. Plant reaches 12-18 inches.

Water regularly. Apply balanced fertilizer in spring as growth begins. Monitor for slugs and spider mites. Stake if in exposed locations.

3

Flowering (Late Summer to Fall)

August-October

Tall, branching stems (2-3 feet) emerge with semi-double deep pink flowers at the top. Dark burgundy center stamens are visible. Multiple blooms open progressively.

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Water consistently during this stage. Stake tall stems if needed. High phosphorus fertilizer supports flowering.

4

Seed Development & Dormancy (Late Fall to Winter)

October-March

Flowers fade and seed heads develop. Foliage yellows and dies back. Plant enters winter dormancy with underground rhizomes intact.

Leave seed heads for visual interest and wildlife benefit. Cut back dead foliage in late fall or early spring. Apply winter mulch (3-4 inches) in colder zones. Do not disturb dormant crowns.

5

Division & Rejuvenation (Spring)

March-April

New shoots begin emerging from the soil in early spring as temperatures warm. Colonies can be divided at this stage.

Divide established plants (3+ years old) in early spring before new growth. Each division should have 2-3 growth buds. Replant divisions at the same depth and water in well.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Avoid planting near:

Black walnuts (allelopathic effects) Aggressive spreaders like mint or obedient plant Dry-soil plants like sedums in same microclimate

Common Pests

  • and

    Hand-pick in evening; use copper tape, diatomaceous earth barriers, or beer traps. Encourage natural predators.

  • Increase humidity with regular misting. Spray with water to dislodge. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe.

  • Hand-pick early morning or use Japanese beetle traps away from flowers. Neem oil spray can help.

  • Ensure good air circulation. Avoid wetting foliage. Spray with sulfur or baking soda solution if needed.

  • Spray with strong water stream. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for heavy infestations.

Uses

🍳

Not for consumption

Culinary

Japanese anemones are not edible and should not be consumed. All parts are toxic if ingested. [source]

🎨

Cut flower arrangements

Craft

Pamina's deep pink semi-double flowers and tall stems make excellent additions to late summer and fall floral arrangements, lasting well in water. [source]

🏠

Shade garden ornamental

Household

Serves as a key late-season bloomer in shaded borders, woodland gardens, and dappled light areas where few other perennials flower this late. [source]

🦋

Pollinator support

Wildlife

Late-season flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators preparing for winter. Seed heads feed birds. [source]

💊

Traditional Asian medicine

Medicinal

Anemone species have been used in traditional Chinese medicine, though Pamina specifically is primarily ornamental. Not recommended for home medicinal use. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Japanese anemones are ornamental flowers grown for display rather than harvest. Cut flowers in the morning when fully open for fresh bouquets; they last 7-10 days in water. Leave some flowers on the plant for garden beauty and wildlife benefit. Leave seed heads for winter interest.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Japanese anemones are not native to Japan but to China; they were extensively cultivated and refined in Japanese gardens, hence the common name.
  • 🌱 Pamina is a hybrid cultivar, the result of crossing Anemone vitifolia with Anemone tomentosa, creating more robust plants than either parent alone.
  • 🌱 The deep pink 'Pamina' cultivar was developed in Europe and is sometimes called 'Pamela' in older literature; it remains one of the most popular dark pink selections for fall gardens.

Gardening Terms

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

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Japanese Anemone 'Pamina' planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Japanese Anemone 'Pamina' seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Japanese Anemone 'Pamina' timeline →