Pulsatilla vulgaris

PASQUE FLOWER
Ranunculaceae
Perennials, Flowers

PULSATILLA

Low-growing, clumping plants. Woody rootstock produces foot-wide rosette of finely cut leaves covered with silky hairs; smaller leaves clothe the short flowering stems. In early spring, each stem is topped by a single large, upshaped, erect or nodding blossom with silky hairs on the outside and a mass of yellow stamens within. The fluffy seed clusters are almost as showy as the flowers; each seed is topped by a long, twisting, feathery appendage. Plants reach 5 to 6 in. high in bloom, rise to about 1 1/2 ft. tall by the time seeds appear. Best in cool conditions. Need well-drained soil. Good rock garden plants. May go dormant in summer.

Pulsatilla vulgaris

This central European native starts as a foot-wide rosette of finely cut leaves covered with silky hairs; smaller leaves clothe the short flowering stems. In early spring, each stem is topped by a single cup-shaped, erect or nodding blossom with silky hairs on theoutside and a mass of yellowstamens within. Colors rangefrom white through pink shadesto purple or red. The fluffy seedclusters are almost as showyas the flowers; each seed istopped by a long, twisting,feathery appendage. Plantsgrow from a woody root, reach5–6 in. high in bloom, rise toabout 1 1/2 ft. high by the timeseeds appear. ‘Pinwheel White’and ‘Alba’ have white flowers;‘Rubra’ and ‘Red Clock’ havered blooms.

Best in cool conditions with well-drained soil. May go dormantin summer.