The name “Candlemas Caps” reflects both the timing of the wood anemone’s blooming and the of the shape of the flowers. The term “caps” probably refers to the shape of the flower’s petals, which form a cap-like structure. Candlemas commemorated the occasion when Mary went to the Temple in Jerusalem both to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son, and to present him to God as her firstborn, in accordance with Jewish law. On Candlemas many Christians take their candles to their local church, where they are blessed and then used for the rest of the year. Wood anemone blooms in early spring, around February 2, the date of the Candlemas festival which marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Also known as windflower, European thimbleweed, and smell fox, this herbaceous perennial is native to northern and central Europe where it grows in deciduous woodlands. It is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes delphinium, clematis, and hellebore. The plants grow up to 6″ tall and spread by creeping rhizomes. The three-part dark green leaves are produced in late winter to early spring and die in the summer. The flowers have six to seven petal-like tepals that can be white tinged with pink or lavender, and yellow stamens surrounding green stigmas. Each flower is about ¾ -1½” wide and is produced singly on a short stem just above the foliage in spring. Plants go dormant in summer when the temperatures rise which is signaled by the yellowing of the foliage. Many good cultivars are available that vary primarily in color but also in number and size of petals.
The genus name, Anemone, is probably a corrupted Greek loan word of Semitic origin referring to the lament for the slain Adonis or Naaman, whose scattered blood produced the blood-red Anemone coronaria. The specific epithet, nemorosa, is the Latin word meaning well-wooded, and refers to the natural habitat of the plant.
Wood anemone like full sun to partial shade and rich, organic, medium moist, well-drained soil in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8. It has no significant pests or diseases but needs to be kept weed free and top dressed in autumn with well rotted compost. Propagation is by seed or division in late summer or autumn.