Wood Anemone

The Wood Anemone is a pretty spring flower of ancient woodlands, and is also planted in graveyards, parks and gardens.

The Wood Anemone’s white flowers bloom between March and May before the canopy becomes too dense. Its seeds are mostly infertile and it spreads slowly through the growth of its roots.

How to Identify

An easily recognisable flower Wood Anemone is low-growing, with six large, white or purple-streaked ‘petals’ (which are actually its sepals), deeply lobed leaves and a thin, red stem.

Where to find

Found throughout the country.

How people can help

The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves sympathetically for a range of spring flowers. From delicate Wood Anemones to showy Bluebells, golden Lesser Celandine to fragrant Ramsons. A mix of coppicing, scrub-cutting and ride maintenance open up the woodland floor to the sun. This helps many flowers and plants to thrive. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from traditional forest crafts to raising awareness about woodland wildlife.

Did you know?

The Wood Anemone is named after the Greek wind god, Anemos, who sent his namesakes, the anemones, in early spring to herald his coming. This legend gives the flower its other common name of ‘Windflower’.