Pasqueflower

Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Blaue Glocke'

There are so many flowers to love at this time of the year. From small alpines such as Anemonella thalictroides and cyclamen, to the larger daffodils and tulips. And not forgetting all the trees in blossom, as recently discussed over at Veg Plotting. So it's hard, if not impossible, to choose a favourite flower.

One that does stand out from the crowd around Easter time, for both its tactile, as well as visual, beauty, is the Pasqueflower, Pulsatilla vulgaris. As the first flower heads start forming, it's impossible to resist stroking it's soft hairs.

Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Blaue Glocke'

I have both P. vulgaris and P. vulgaris 'Blaue Glocke', the main difference between the two that I've noticed is that Blaue Glocke is a deeper purple whereas P. vulgaris tends towards the more pink-purple spectrum. 

Pulsatilla vulgaris

Vulgaris, meaning common, but there is nothing common about this flower. The soft hairs seem to glisten in the sun.

Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Blaue Glocke'

Deeper purple, the velvet-like petals shimmering in the sun. I obtained this variety via Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants.

Lots of pollen on them. Yes, they are loved by bees too.

They also come in salmon-pink, red and white, but it's the purples and pinks that do it for me. Pulsatillas are hardy perennials, coming up year after year with almost no attention required. Mine are in pots, but they can grow in the ground, as long as they are in well-drained soil in the sun.

Individual flowers last c. 2 weeks. A good sized plant in a pot will give you flowers for a month. I have some by the front door, to share the pleasure.

Stoke... sigh. Buona Pasqua!