prairie wildflower
Tall thimbleweed
Anemone virginiana
Also known as Thimbleweed, Tall Anemone
1 of 3Native to much of the USA and Canada
Almost cross the entire southern half of Canada. In the US from central Maine to Minnesota, south to Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and eastern Kansas
- Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry to moist Moisture preference
- Zones 3–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jun–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun to part shade and dry to moist soil. Its white flowers peak in June. At up to 3 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders. It shrugs off drought once established. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Tall thimbleweed's white flowers bloom June to July, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws beetles and bees.
Tall thimbleweed blooms white, green & brownFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Beetles Margined Leatherwing Beetle also Two-spotted Lady Beetle, Strangalepta Flower Longhorn Beetle
- Bees Patchwork Leafcutter Bee also Milwaukee Mining Bee
- Flower flies Eastern Calligrapher
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USA and CanadaUnited States (38): AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY. Canada (9): AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, QC, SK. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Almost cross the entire southern half of Canada. In the US from central Maine to Minnesota, south to Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and eastern KansasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Dry to moistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9 · Canadian 2–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Dry or moist, rich, acid soils. Tolerates limeThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Water use
- MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Drought tolerance
- HighRelative to plants of the same type and region, inferred from where it grows, not a days-without-water figure.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jun–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, Green, BrownThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jun–NovThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- Poisonous if eatenWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.