Pasque flower

Pulsatilla vulgaris

Tufted dry-grassland perennial with silky-haired buds opening to deep purple cup-shaped flowers around Easter, followed by feathery silver seed heads. The common name refers to Easter (Pâques).

Hardiness ratings

Pasque flower hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −34.4 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −29 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–3 −15 °C to 0 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Flowers March–April — traditionally signals Easter (Pâques), giving rise to the common name
  • Native to chalk and limestone grassland across northern Europe, now seriously declining in the wild
  • Feathery seed heads provide a second season of interest into early summer
  • Needs sharp drainage and full sun — succeeds in rock gardens, troughs and gravel

Pet caution: Pasque flower is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Pasque flower against your zones

Reference

Pasque flower on Wikipedia