Pasqueflower

Last week I posted about prairie crocus. In that post I mentioned this plant, a close and much more common relative. This is Pasqueflower, Pulsatilla vulgaris. Its royal purple flowers have always been a favorite of mine in the spring. It's a fantastic plant for a rock garden or sunny flower bed, appreciating well-drained soil and lots of sun. It's very easy to grow and forms a nice clump after a few years. Grows 8-12" (20-30cm) high and up to a foot (30cm) wide.