Narcissus (Anemone narcissiflora) Blooming in Fall

Observation by Lorene Lynn:

The narcissus usually only blooms in early spring. Unusual to see in the autumn!

Jaime Rodriguez of Alpine Garden Nursery writes:

The Anemone narcissiflora at the Alaska Botanical Garden Rock Gardens has a second bloom of flowers today. I was just there and saw it. That Anemone grows all over Hatcher Pass.

Will Criner, Garden and Facilities Manager at the Alaska Botanical Garden, writes:

We have images of it blooming early-to-mid May, and a weaker secondary bloom in August. It looks like it did bloom twice and that can happen sometimes if we get a longer, extended season. It will produce more flowers because it has the time, especially with warmer soil temperatures and things like that. Comments relayed over the phone to Erica Lujan

Comments from LEO Editors:

Anemone narcissiflora L., or narcissus anemone, is a perennial native to Alaska, western and some of northern Canada, and Wyoming and Colorado. It's an herbaceous plant (lacks a woody stem) that typically blooms in June. Find additional species information in Plant Databases for the USDA and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Sarah Ingram

Temperatures across Alaska have been unusually warm during the summer of 2019, and have continued into August. According to the Alaska Climate Research Center Monthly Temperature Departure Map for August, the Anchorage area measured 5.9 degrees F above normal. In September, temperatures were 4.12 degrees F above normal. Erica Lujan