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Overview
Pulsatilla vulgaris, commonly called common pasqueflower or European pasqueflower, is a compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the family Ranunculaceae, native to dry, short-turf calcareous (chalk and limestone) grasslands across central and northern Europe, from the British Isles and southern Scandinavia east through central Europe to western Ukraine. It is one of Europe's most iconic early-spring wildflowers, emerging from thick, fibrous roots in March and April with silky, deeply dissected, fern-like foliage covered in conspicuous silver hairs. The solitary, erect, cup-shaped to bell-shaped flowers 1.5–2.5 inches (4–6 cm) across have six silky-hairy, violet-purple petal-like sepals surrounding a central boss of golden yellow stamens, carried on hairy stems 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) tall. A characteristic involucre of deeply divided, hairy bracts is present just below the flower. After flowering, each bloom develops into a spherical, plumed seed head — a cluster of achenes each with a 1–2 inch (2.5–5 cm) elongated, feathery style — providing a second ornamental phase of several weeks. Cultivars are available in white, red, pink, lilac, and dark violet. All parts are toxic if ingested; contact with fresh plant sap can cause skin irritation. A Great Plant Pick for Pacific Northwest gardens.
Native Range
Native to dry, short-turf calcareous (chalk and limestone) grasslands, scrub edges, and open downlands across central and northern Europe, from the British Isles (primarily England) and southern Scandinavia east through France, Germany, and central Europe to western Ukraine and the Baltic states. Grows in shallow, free-draining, alkaline to neutral soils in full sun. Not native to North America.Suggested Uses
Common pasqueflower is one of the finest early-spring perennials for the Pacific Northwest rock garden, raised scree bed, or well-drained sunny border, offering silky flowers and ornamental plumed seed heads over a period of six to eight weeks from late winter. A Great Plant Pick for Pacific Northwest gardens. Combines naturally with other early-spring rock garden plants: Aubrieta, Arabis, Iberis sempervirens, Draba, Iris reticulata, and Crocus. The pure white cultivar Alba, blood-red Rode Klokke, and near-black Papageno series are particularly garden-worthy. Best in groups of three or more at the front of a sunny, well-drained border.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Common pasqueflower blooms in early spring, typically March through April in Pacific Northwest gardens and in its native European range. The flowers open with or slightly before the emerging foliage, providing maximum visual impact. Each flower lasts one to two weeks, and a clump produces successive flowers over three to four weeks. After flowering, the ornamental plumed seed heads develop and persist for several additional weeks through late spring. Foliage continues to develop through summer.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Violet-purple (species); also white, red, pink, lilac, near-black in cultivars; six silky-hairy sepals; golden yellow stamens; followed by ornamental plumed seed headsFoliage Description
Deeply pinnately dissected, fern-like, mid-green; densely covered in long silky silver hairsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun in very well-drained, lean to moderately fertile, neutral to alkaline soil. Common pasqueflower performs poorly in heavy, moisture-retentive, or acidic soils — excellent drainage is essential. In Pacific Northwest gardens, plant in the sunniest, most freely drained position available: a raised bed, rock garden, scree, or south-facing slope with added grit is ideal. Avoid winter wet, which is the primary cause of plant loss. Does not transplant well once established — choose the permanent position carefully. Resents root disturbance. All parts are toxic; contact with fresh sap can irritate skin, so handle with gloves when working near the plant.Pruning
Do not deadhead — the plumed seed heads are highly ornamental and the plant self-seeds in appropriate conditions. Allow the foliage to die back naturally. Remove only dead or damaged foliage in late autumn or early spring. No division is recommended — plants resent root disturbance and are best left undisturbed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons