This is a Genus of about 109 species in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) called windflowers native to Asia, North America, Africa, South America and Europe. The Genus name is Greek for 'daughter of the wind'. Windflowers grow from a tuber to 1-4 feet tall and 8 inches wide. They can be upright to prostrate and prefer woodland, moist shady or hot dry environments. For most windflowers available, soak tubers for 4 hours in the fall and plant 1 to 2 inches deep and 2 to 4 inches apart in full sun to partial or dappled shade in amended well-drained soil. Depending on the species blooming will occur in either spring, summer or fall. The cup-shaped flowers come in various colors of red, pink, blue, yellow, purple and white. They are generally showy and leaves vary as to species. Those available for the home garden can be used in the border front, in groups or in pots. Cultivars are available to provide season-long color. They are appropriate for cottage, woodland, cutting and pollinator gardens. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Cutworms and the larvae of some moths will damage foliage. Root rot can occur in too wet soils.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
They have basal leaves that can be upright or prostrate and simple or compound with lobed, parted, or undivided leaf blades. The leaf margins are toothed or entire.
Flower color
Blue; Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Green; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Cyme; Umbel
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
They are cup-shaped with 5-many petal-like parts and many stamens. They grow in clusters of 2-9 flowers in cymes or umbrels in colors of blue, pink, red, white yellow-green, or purple.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit detail
This plant has small fruits and some species have plumose tails.
Stem color
Green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
U.S.A , Russia, Asia, Africa and South America, Europe
Toxic if eaten in large quantities and causes severe pain in the mouth. Poisonous by ingestion and dermatitis. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Symptoms: Inflammation and blistering upon contact with fresh sap; irritation of mouth, vomiting and diarrhea following ingestion.