Pulsatilla vernalis

RHS Plant Profile

lady of the snows

RHS 2003

Other common names

shaggy windflower

Synonyms

Anemone sulphurea L.
Anemone alpina var. sulphurea (L.) DC.
Anemone vernalis
Pulsatilla alpina subsp. sulphurea (L.) Asch. et Graebn.

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial

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A semi-evergreen perennial forming a clump to 10cm in height, with finely divided leaves and bell-shaped white flowers 6cm in width, nodding in bud, later upward-facing, followed by silky seed-heads

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Exposed
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
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, N Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in very gritty, moist but sharply drained soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. It resents root disturbance and may be difficult to establish, so plant when small and leave undisturbed. Can also be grown in pots in an alpine house

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in an open frame as soon as seed is ripe. Propagate by taking root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Gravel garden
Rock garden

Pruning

Leave faded flowers as seedheads are an attractive feature

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free