Pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris)

Features and Characteristics

Pulsatilla vulgaris is a purple-flowered pasque flower that is native to Europe (Great Britain and France to the Ukraine). Hairy flower stems emerge from the ground in spring (March-April in St. Louis), sometimes when patches of snow are still on the ground. Flowers bloom as the foliage begins to form. Flowers are solitary, erect-to-nodding and open-bell-shaped. When the flowers appear, stems are typically only 4-5” tall. Stems elongate and foliage grows taller after bloom, with plants typically maturing to 9-12” tall. Flowers are followed by equally-ornamental, plume-like seedheads (reminiscent of some clematis) in fluffy spherical clusters. Deeply-divided, silky, hairy, fern-like, light green, basal leaves (to 4-6″ long) are attractive throughout the growing season.

Pulsatilla vulgaris is synonymous with Anemone pulsatilla.

Genus name comes from Latin meaning sway as the flowers sway in the wind.

Specific epithet means common.

Pasque comes from Old French for Easter in reference to the spring bloom time.