Pasque flower

Sun

Full sun; light afternoon shade can help in hotter areas.

Water

Low to moderate; water regularly while establishing, then during prolonged dry spells. Avoid persistently wet soil, especially in winter.

Soil

Well-drained, gritty or sandy soil, preferably neutral to alkaline. Avoid heavy, wet clay.

Height

0.5-1 ft (0.15-0.3 m), with seed stems sometimes reaching 1.5 ft (0.45 m)

Spread

0.5-1 ft (0.15-0.3 m)

Flowers

Early to mid-spring; usually violet-purple with yellow centres. White, pink and red-flowered selections are also available.

Foliage

Finely divided, fern-like green leaves covered with soft silvery hairs, especially when young; dies back in winter.

Growth

Slow to moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Cold hardy
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   0.7 ft (0.22 m)

   full size

About 4 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Native to

the UK

Growth rate

Slow

• Plant with the crown at soil level in a sunny position with sharp drainage.
• Water new plants during dry weather; let established plants dry slightly between waterings.
• Avoid heavy feeding; on very poor soil, apply a light dressing of compost in spring.
• Use gravel around the crown rather than deep organic mulch.
• Choose a permanent position: the deep roots dislike disturbance, and routine division is unnecessary.

Pruning. Leave spent flowers to develop their feathery seed heads. Remove dead foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges, wearing gloves to avoid irritating sap.

Late winter

Remove dead foliage and check that fallen leaves or mulch are not holding moisture around the crown.

Early spring

Plant container-grown plants once the ground is workable, taking care not to break up the root ball.

Spring

Water new plants during dry spells and watch emerging growth for slug damage.

Late spring

Leave seed heads for display; collect seed as it ripens if you want to raise more plants.

Summer

Sow fresh seed promptly and keep the seed compost lightly moist, not saturated.

Autumn

Clear wet debris from around the crown and check drainage before winter rain.

• Plant in rock gardens or gravel beds where the silky flowers and seed heads can be seen close up.
• Use small groups at the front of a sunny border with low-growing spring bulbs.
• Combine with creeping thyme, candytuft and dwarf irises for a low, open planting on well-drained soil.
• Grow in a deep alpine trough with drainage holes and a gritty compost.

Garden styles it suits: Alpine rock garden, Dry gravel garden, Cottage garden, Pollinator garden, Small-space and Low-maintenance.

Plant it with: Creeping thyme, Candytuft, Creeping phlox, Dwarf bearded iris, Grape hyacinth and Species tulips.

Wildlife: The early flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees. It is a European species, not a native meadow plant in North America or Australia.

• Crown or root rot in wet soil: improve drainage before planting, use a raised position and keep wet mulch away from the crown.
• Slugs and snails eating emerging shoots: inspect during damp evenings and use barriers or locally approved controls if needed.
• Poor growth in hot, humid conditions: provide excellent drainage and light afternoon shade; choose a cooler site where possible.
• Failure after moving or dividing: avoid disturbing established plants and raise replacements from seed instead.

Toxic to people, cats, dogs and horses if eaten. All fresh parts contain irritant compounds that can cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea; substantial ingestion can be serious. Sap can irritate or blister skin, so wear gloves and keep plants away from grazing animals.

• Small pasque flower (Pulsatilla pratensis)

  Its flowers are generally smaller, more narrowly bell-shaped and distinctly nodding, often with petal tips curled back; common pasque flower usually opens into a broader cup.

• Poppy anemone (Anemone coronaria)

  Usually has a dark central cluster of stamens and lacks the conspicuously silky flower surfaces and stems of pasque flower. Pasque flower has a prominent yellow centre.

Pasque comes from a word for Easter, referring to its spring flowering season; Pulsatilla refers to the bell-like flowers, and vulgaris means common.

Propagation. Sow fresh seed soon after it ripens in late spring or early summer, covering lightly with grit and keeping it lightly moist. Older seed may germinate slowly or benefit from a cold period. Grow seedlings in individual deep pots and plant out young; division is difficult and risks damaging the roots.

Accepted botanical name

Pulsatilla vulgaris

Native range

Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Northwest European R, Poland and Romania.

Measured

Average height 23 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.