Prairie Crocus

The first plant to flower in my garden this spring is Pulsatilla patens (formerly Anemone patens), more commonly known as prairie crocus. It's not really a crocus, but is closely related to Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla vulgaris), a popular garden plant.

This species is native to the Canadian prairies and is the floral emblem of Manitoba. It is one of the earliest spring flowers, often appearing before all of the snow has melted. This year everything is a week or more late in my garden.

If you are interested in growing this plant, plant it in a sunny area, in well-drained soil. The soil mine is growing in contains coarse sand. These are great to plant in rock gardens, wildflower gardens, or simple sunny perennial borders (at the front). They grow no more than 6" (15cm) high, and the flowers appear before the hairy leaves. The flowers are followed by interesting fluffy seed heads as well.

This species is not as commercially available as the Pasqueflower, but some nurseries do carry it, especially those that specialize in or carry a selection of native plants. In Edmonton, seedlings will be available from the Edmonton Naturalization Group this spring. They will be selling plants this weekend at the Alberta Avenue Community League, click here.