About
A herbaceous perennial up to 30cm high with green feathery leaves. In spring, pendulous, bell-shaped, dark violet-purple flowers, up to 3cm long, with yellow stamens and purple stigmas appear surounded by feathery bracts 5-10cm long; stems, leaves, bracts and the backs of the petals are covered in fine silvery hairs.
About the genus
Pulsatilla are herbaceous perennials forming clumps of finely dissected leaves, with solitary, hairy bell-shaped or cup-shaped flowers followed by silky-plumed seed-heads
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Care notes
CultivationPlant when small in an alpine house, in a mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost and grit, or outside in humus-rich, gritty, very well-drained soil in full sun, and leave undisturbed
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown as soon as it is ripe in containers in an open frame, or by root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free but young growth may be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free