Pulsatilla vulgaris

RHS Plant Profile
pasqueflower

Other common names

April fools, badgers, blue money, blue tulip, cat's eyes, Coventry bells, Dane's blood, dream herb, Easter flower, flaw flower, flower of the wind, gosling, hart's horn plant, headache plant, meadow anemone, passeflower, Dane's flower, lion's beard, mayflower, prairie smoke, rock lily

Synonyms

Anemone pulsatilla

Award of Garden Merit
Alpine Rockery

A perennial to 20cm, forming a clump of finely dissected basal leaves, silky when young. Flowers 5-9cm in width, erect or nodding, violet, followed by silky fruiting heads

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Can cause mild stomach upset if ingested. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
Genus
Pulsatilla are herbaceous perennials forming clumps of finely dissected leaves, with solitary, hairy bell-shaped or cup-shaped flowers followed by silky-plumed seed-heads
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in very well-drained soil in full sun; suitable for rock garden, scree or alpine bed. Resents disturbance and can be hard to establish

Propagation

Propagate by seed or take root cuttings in the winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Slugs may eat the flowers

Diseases

Generally disease-free