The Anemone Fantasy ‘Red Riding Hood’ is a tuberous perennial from the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and is commonly named Japanese Anemone or windflower. Several botanical names are used for this windflower like Anemone hupehensis ‘Red Riding Hood’ and Anemone x hybrida ‘Red Riding Hood’ and Fantasy may or may not be added to the name.
The name “Anemone” is derived from the Greek word “anemos” which means "wind".
The Anemone Fantasy-cultivars have many characteristics of the Anemone x hybrida as well as the Anemone hupehensis. The Anemone x hybrida comes Japan and can reach a height of about 1.5 metres (5 feet). The bloom starts in the second half of August and the flowers are about 7 cm (3 inches) wide.
The Anemone hupehensis is native to the Hebei province in China. The word hupehensis is derived from the old name of that province: Hupeh. The Chinese Anemone stays smaller than the Japanese Anemone. The bloom starts later in the year and the flowers are smaller (6 cm (2 inches)). The Chinese Anemone also prefers a bit more shade than the Japanese Anemone.
Characteristic to the Fantasy-cultivars is the compact growth and the rich and long-lasting bloom. The flowers are suitable as cut flowers. The leaves reach a height of about 30 cm (12 inches) and the flowers rise above them with a height of about 40 cm (16 inches).
The Fantasy Anemones prefer a spot in full sun to part shade. They tolerate full sun if the soil is moist enough but well-drained. They do not tolerate wet soil for a long period of time and they do not appreciate being transplanted. They are tolerant to salt.
At the right position the Japanese Anemone will spread gradually. The stems do not need support. Let the plant die to the ground later in the year and wait until the spring to clean up the dead leaves and stems. The Japanese Anemones do not need a cold period to bloom, but they do need sun to form flowers.
Attracts bees: yes
Characteristic: newly emerging every year
Exposure: sun/part shade
Flower colour: pink
Flowering time: August – October
Foliage colour: green
Fragrant flower: no
Hardiness: -30 ºC/-22 ºF
Height: 30 cm/12 inches
Soil: normal/moist