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Growing Pulsatilla vulgaris
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Pulsatilla vulgaris - Growing Guide

Growing Pulsatilla vulgaris

Pasque flower

P. vulgaris in its wild form is actually native to the UK and right through Europe to the Ukraine where it grows wild in alpine meadows.

Cultivated forms come in a variety of colours but P. vulgaris ‘Rubra’ has reddish purple flowers. These are clump forming deciduous perennials with finely divided pinnate light green leaves. In March or April bell shaped silky flowers appear on upright stems although the individual flowers can become somewhat pendant. The overall height of the plant and its flowers is about 6in but the clump may spread a little more than this.

P. vulgaris needs to be grown in fertile very well drained soil in full sun. This means a rockery or small border which meets these conditions. They also do well in upraised troughs. These plants dislike root disturbance so need to be planted out when small and left undisturbed.

Seed should be sown as soon as ripe in a container in a cool position in the greenhouse.