Pasque Flower

Pasque Flower Overview

Description A harbinger of spring, pasque flower blossoms begin to emerge before the plant's feathery, fernlike foliage has fully expanded. Be sure to plant this low-growing plant near the front of the garden border or near an entryway or patio so you can enjoy its early spring flowers, fuzzy silver foliage, and frilly pom-pom seed heads. After the flowers fade and the seed heads fall, enjoy the foliage for weeks in summer. The leaves may die back at the end of the summer, but easy-to-grow pasque flower is one of the first plants to emerge the following spring.
Genus Name Pulsatilla vulgaris
Common Name Pasque Flower
Plant Type Perennial
Light Sun
Height 6 to 6 inches
Width 4 to 8 inches
Flower Color Blue, White
Foliage Color Gray/Silver
Season Features Spring Bloom
Special Features Cut Flowers
Zones 4, 5, 6, 7
Propagation Seed
Problem Solvers Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Slope/Erosion Control

Garden Plans For Pasque Flower

Privacy Garden
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Best Planting Partners

Pasque flowers are the ideal planting partners for early spring bloomers such as species tulips and wildflower tulips, miniature daffodils, and crocus. Just like the early spring bulbs, pasque flower is an invaluable source of nectar for honeybees and native bees that forage in early spring. Plant drifts of three to five pasque flowers among large clumps of bulbs to create a bold display of nature's early-season beauty.

Pair pasque flower with garden phlox, low-growing sedums, perennial geranium, lady's mantle, yarrow, blanket flower, daylily, and goldenrod for a flower show that continues through fall. Pasque flower foliage will complement these mid- and late-season bloomers. Enjoy pasque flowers' seed heads in the garden or harvest them for a striking bouquet.

Pasque Flower Care Must-Knows

Plant this long-lived perennial in well-drained soil and full or part sun. In moist climates or heavy soil, plant pasque flower on sloping beds or hillsides or in raised beds so they have adequate drainage. Pasque flower grows best in northern climates where it receives a prolonged winter chill.

Established plants have a long taproot and are tough to divide. Instead of dividing plants, purchase new cultivars from the garden center and keep an eye out for seedlings that emerge around the base of established plants. Seedlings can be transplanted with ease in spring and early summer. Water transplants well for about four weeks after planting.

Love silver-leaf plants? Add more to your garden using this list!

Great Garden Cultivars

'Alba' has creamy white flowers and blooms in late spring. 'Papageno' is an eye-catching mix of creamy white, bright pink, dark red, and violet flowers that are fringed and semi-double. 'Rote Glocke' has deep crimson flowers and is also called 'Red Bells' or 'Red Cloak.' 'Rubra' has wine-red flowers.

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