Look for the October 2004 issue of Fine Gardening - should be on newstands now. They have a very nice article on fall anemones and photos of many of the newer hybrids. My tried and true favorite is 'September Charm', an older cultivar that should be widely available. Shell pink flowers over a long season (well into October here) on a fairly tall plant. Relatively new is 'Pamina', a deep pink semi-double with a very compact habit and an abundance of flowers.

I've loved my anemone tomentosa 'Robustissima'. It's been blooming for 6 weeks or so, with no end in sight. It spreads, and tough and drought resistant as well.

I have September Charm and Pamina and both are winners in my book. September Charm is shorter, about 2' to 2.5' with very simple light pink flowers. A real charmer at the end of the season. My Pamina is more like 3' high, lots of stalks and buds. It took a lonnng time for it to get around to blooming, but the deep pink double blooms are worth the wait. I just purchased Kriemhilde, which is supposed to have a beautiful purplish rose tone---I'm eager to see it in bloom this time next year.

How much sun does Pamina need? I'd like it to be in medium shade with little or no direct sun.