Pulsatilla vulgaris Violet - Pasqueflower

The Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Violet', formerly known as Anemone pulsatilla, is an elegant perennial, a very hardy treasure, a shy flower that loves stone and well-drained soils. Its spring flowering is violet with a yellow centre, bell-shaped starry flowers inclined towards the ground, and its very original feathery fruit. Its stems, flowers, and finely cut foliage are covered with a soft silvery pubescence. This variety will simply dress up your sunny or semi-shaded rockeries.

The Pulsatilla vulgaris, also known as Pasque Flower or Windflower, belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae. It is native to dry and limestone meadows in European mountains, up to an altitude of 1000 m (3281ft). It is a charming perennial with a tuberous rootstock and rapid growth, forming a clump of 30 cm (12in) in all directions. A particularly hairy plant: it is covered with remarkable silvery hairs that cover the leaves, stem, bud, and outer surface of the petals. The flower bud looks like a very hairy sheath of grey-green colour touched with dark violet at its tip. It blooms into a single flower, forming a 6 cm (2in) wide bell, composed of 6 star-shaped petals, violet in colour, arranged around a golden yellow heart resembling a small hedgehog bristling with spines. The flowers bloom from April to May on fluffy and silvery stems. Once the flowers have bloomed, the light green and finely cut foliage emerges from the rootstock. After flowering, a white-silver feathery fruiting appears, resembling a small shiny wig that will enhance and prolong the interest of the plant.

Easy to grow, the 'Violet' common pulsatilla has good hardiness (-20°C (-4°F)). It clearly prefers limestone soils and dislikes pesticides. Plant it in a well-drained soil, in a raised bed, rockery, or to border a staircase, in association with small grasses (stipa, fescues), hebes, sedums, or catmints. This plant only opens in the sun and closes at the slightest drop of rain, swaying in the wind like a little weather vane waiting for the shower to pass. It will appreciate a sunny exposure.