Backyard scaping

Pasque Flower

Pulsatilla
A genus of perennials that are part of the larger Ranunculaceae ( Buttercup ) family.
Most species have both the ferny leaves and stems covered in soft hairs. They bloom in the spring. The plant is poisonous to ingest so no part should ever be eaten.
They all require fertile, very well drained soil and do not like root disturbance.
Pasque Flower does not like waterlogged soil! They can be used in planters but only if they are brought indoors to a heated porch or garage during winter to prevent freeze/thaw damage.
It is important to plant them out when very young and do not divide established clumps. It is rarely bothered by insect pests or disease.
Propagation is from seed which should be sown immediately upon ripening from mid summer to early fall. Pasque Flower can also be propagated from root cuttings taken during early spring.

* photo of unknown internet source


Pulsatilla alpina( Pasque Flower )
A perennial, reaching a maxinum size of 20 inches x 2 feet ( usually half that ), that is native to Eurasia.
The ferny foliage is covered is deep green.
The white flowers, up to 3 inches across, are borne during early spring.
They are followed by attractive fluffy seed heads.
Hardy zones 2 to 7 in full sun on sandy, alkaline, well drained soil.

var sulfurea
The flowers are yellow and appear later; otherwise similar.

Pulsatilla halleri
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 10 inches x 1 foot, that is native to mountains of central Europe. It is similar to Pulsatilla vulgaris.
The flowers range from lavender-blue to violet.

Pulsatilla occidentalis ( Western Pasque-Flower )
Similar to Pulsatilla alpina but reaches a maximum size of 2.5 feet x 15 inches and is native to mountains of western North America ( from British Columbia to Montana; south to central California ).
The white or pink flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne during summer.

Pulsatilla patens ( Prairie Pasque Flower )
A perennial, reaching up to 2 x 1 ( rarely over 1 ) feet, that is native to prairies and dry open woods in western North America ( from Alberta to the Northwest Territories; south to Washington State, Utah to Illinois to Michigan ).
The heavy-textured, lightly hairy leaves, up to 3 inches in length, are less finely divided than other species.
The white to deep lavender flowers, up to 2.5 inches across, are borne during early to late spring.
They are followed by attractive airy seed heads.
Hardy zones 1 to 7 in full sun to partial shade on sandy, alkaline, well drained soil.

Pulsatilla vernalis ( Pasque Flower )
A perennial, reaching up to 1 x 1 foot, that is native from northern Europe to Siberia.
The ferny foliage is silvery and covered in silky down.
The ourplish ( rarely white ) flowers, up to 2.3 inches across, are borne during early spring.
They are followed by attractive airy seed heads.
Hardy zones 2 to 7 in full sun on sandy, alkaline, very well drained soil.
It does not enjoy winter wetness.

Pulsatilla vulgaris ( Pasque Flower )
Was historically incorrectly called Anemone pulsatilla. A perennial, reaching up to 2 x 2 feet, that is native from the British Isles to the Ukraine. It is great for both the landscape border and the rock garden.
The very finely-divided, ferny leaves, up to 12 inches in length, are covered in silky down. The foliage is silvery in color and remains attractive well into autumn.
The large, bell-shaped flowers, up to 3.5 inches across, are borne over a long season lasting early to mid spring.
They are typically violet-purple though sometimes white, pink or red.
They are followed by attractive silky seed heads.
Hardy zones 2 to 7 in full sun ( or less ideally partial shade ) on sandy, alkaline, well drained soil.
Moderately drought tolerant.

* photo of unknown internet source


Alba
Pure white flowers.

Rubra
Bright purplish-red flowers.