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Key characteristics

Family: Ranunculaceae
Height: 6-12 inches
Width: 6-12 inches
Flower color: Shades of deep purple to violet, occasionally white
Foliage color: Silvery-green, finely dissected, fern-like leaves with a soft, fuzzy texture
Bloom time: Early to mid-spring
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Medium; prefers well-draining soil and is drought-tolerant once established
Maintenance: Low
Growing zone: USDA zones 4-8
Wildlife: The fluffy seed heads are attractive to birds

Perennials

Pulsatilla vulgaris

Pasque Flower

Pulsatilla vulgaris is a lovely herbaceous perennial native to Europe, forming a low, compact clump of finely dissected, silvery-green foliage in early spring. The leaves are deeply divided and covered in fine, silky hairs, giving them a soft, fuzzy appearance. As the weather warms, it produces stunning bell-shaped flowers in shades of deep purple to violet, and occasionally white, each with a cluster of golden yellow stamens.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Medium; prefers well-draining soil and is drought-tolerant once established

Bloom time

Early to mid-spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Cottage Gardens
Bird Gardens
Waterwise Gardens
Rock Gardens

Companion plants

Hostas · Ferns · Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums

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.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)