Plant of the Month: March

Name: Pulsatilla vulgaris Common name: pasque-flower, meadow anemone Family: Ranunculaceae Vital statistics Height and spread: Approximately 20cm (8in) high and wide Form: Herbaceous perennial Soil: Fertile, very well-drained soil Aspect: Full sun Hardiness: Fully hardy

The whole area had been concealed beneath a huge mound of slag until uncovered by the Robinsons in the 1950s. They initially planted the borders, created between the brick pavers, with roses but a small bed at the side of the stable floor was planted with Pulsatilla vulgaris.

Over time the plants spread and migrated to a more favourable location, similar to their natural habitat of limestone dales, and can now be found growing out of the old lime mortar between the bricks of the floor.

Pulsatilla

A genus of 30 species of clump-forming perennials in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Botanically, Pulsatilla is very closely related to the genus Anemone, into which many species have, in the past, been placed.

Pulsatillas are found mainly in short turf and alpine meadows in Europe, Asia and North America. One species, Pulsatilla vulgaris, is a native of Great Britain, where it is one of the indicators of grasslands that are at least a century old.

Pulsatillas have been cultivated in gardens for many years for their finely dissected leaves, silky, cup-shaped flowers and spherical seed heads. Small plants have a coarsely fibrous rootstock which becomes woody and brittle as the plant gets older.

Pulsatilla vulgaris

Commonly called the pasque-flower, Pulsatilla vulgaris is one of the most beautiful native flowers of the British Isles. It is now very scarce in the wild, like the undisturbed chalk grassland on which it thrives, but it survives in a few locations around Britain, as far north as Yorkshire, and it can still be seen in northern continental Europe.

The name Pulsatilla comes from the Latin pulso meaning strike or set in violent motion. Its relevance is uncertain though it could be so named as all parts of the plant are poisonous and may cause a stomach upset if ingested.

Pulsatilla vulgaris flowers around Easter time, hence the common name pasque-flower, pasque meaning of Easter which in turn comes from the Hebrew pasakh, passover.

Like all pulsatillas it bears upright, bell-shaped, silky-hairy flowers. The petals are coloured in shades of deep to pale purple or occasionally white. The equally attractive seed heads which follow are spherical, with silver-silky, plume like styles, raised on elongated flower stems.

AGM

The RHS Rock Garden Plant Trials Subcommittee awarded Pulsatilla vulgaris an Award of Garden Merit and described it as: 'Herbaceous perennial to 20cm, forming a clump of finely dissected basal leaves, silky when young. Flowers 5-9cm wide, erect or nodding, violet flowers, followed by silky fruiting heads.'

Cultivation

Pulsatillas will grow well in any fertile, well-drained soil in full sun but require protection from excessive wet winter weather. They resent root disturbance and can be difficult to establish, so plant when small and leave undisturbed. They are tolerant of alkaline soils.

They are relatively free of pests and diseases, though slugs and snails may attack the soft young growth.

Propagation

Sow seeds when ripe in containers in an open frame. To aid establishment, by reducing damage to the roots, use modular trays and plant out when small.

Root cuttings can also be taken in winter but care must be taken to minimise damage to the parent plant when the cuttings are being taken.