Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Pasque Flower - Spring Beauty

One of my favourite spring flowers is the Anemone patens, Pasque Flower or Pulsatilla.  This interesting plant is a native to North America making it a natural in my garden.  The bloom is quite large for the size of the plant at 1 1/2-2 inches or  3.8 to 5 cm on a rather short stalk. The leaves are rather hairy but are soft and silky.  This plant is a natural is an alpine garden along side of rocks or scree.

Even with rain drops on it the bud looks spectacular.  The Pasque flower grows really well in my sandy soil as it likes a well draining soil.  It will suffer root rot if the soil becomes waterlogged.   It likes the full sun to do well.


This is the white variety. Bees in Europe are attracted to this plant for its nectar and collection of pollen. I have seen bumble bees here busy down in the stamens.

Even when the flower head is finished the seed head is still attractive.  I hope that you will look around your garden centre and try one of these beauties in your garden.  Happy Gardening.

5 comments:

A Garden of Threads said...

Love this plant, it is just starting to bloom in my garden. Would like a white one, must for one this year. Have a great day.

Ellada said...

Hello, from Greece.
It is true, it is a very beautiful flower.
Have a nice day.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Hi Val
I like that soft, fluffy foliage before the flowers bloom - mine are way behind yours.
Great photos of this plant through the season.
Judith

Greener Bangalore said...

Lovely flowers in your garden!

Darkbob said...

I was just told that the red pasque flower is the official flower of Calgary Alberta where I live. I never knew that - nice looking flower.

Hoping You Have a Blessed Easter