Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Red Bells'
Red Bells Pasque Flower
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Height
- 8 to 12 inches
- Width
- 8 to 12 inches
- Flower color
- Rich red to deep burgundy bell-shaped flowers with golden yellow centers
- Foliage color
- Finely divided soft green foliage with silky hairs
- Bloom time
- Mid spring
- Light
- Full sun to light partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; avoid disturbance once established and remove spent blooms to encourage ornamental seed heads
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and early season pollinators
About this plant
Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Red Bells' forms soft mounds of finely cut, silky green foliage that emerges in early spring, each leaf divided into narrow segments with a delicate texture. Soon after, nodding bell shaped flowers in deep wine red to burgundy rise above the leaves, their centers filled with golden stamens and surrounded by fine hairs that catch the light during mid to late spring bloom.
Native to open meadows and limestone slopes of central and western Europe, the species has long been valued in alpine and rock gardens. 'Red Bells' lends itself to gravel beds, raised plantings, and sunny borders, where its early flowers and ornamental seed heads provide seasonal interest.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Rock Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Ferns · Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums · Columbines
Design tip
The early flowers arrive when the garden is still waking up, so give it a spot you pass often in spring. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Heronswood Garden.
