Pasque flower Pulsatilla vulgaris
Pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family, native to Europe (chalk and limestone grassland; rare in Britain). It grows 15–30 cm (6–12 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Pasque flower in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Pasque flower at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Mature height | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe (chalk and limestone grassland; rare in Britain) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Pasque flower toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts
Contains protoanemonin: blisters skin and mouth; vomiting and diarrhoea if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pasque flower
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Pasque flower in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (6 plants)
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (16 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (16 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (16 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (16 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (11 plants)
Questions about Pasque flower
- How far apart should I plant Pasque flower?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Pasque flower need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pasque flower need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pasque flower?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Pasque flower flower?
- From about April for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Pasque flower poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains protoanemonin: blisters skin and mouth; vomiting and diarrhoea if eaten.
- What grows well with Pasque flower?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pasque flower. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Alpine: needs sharp drainage (scree, gravel or a rock-garden pocket) and resents winter wet more than cold.
- Silky-hairy buds open around Easter; feathery seed heads follow. Dies back to a crown in winter.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Hellebore (Lenten rose) Helleborus x hybridus
- Delphinium Delphinium elatum hybrids
- Common columbine Aquilegia vulgaris
- Japanese anemone Anemone hupehensis
- Larkspur Consolida ajacis
- Love-in-a-mist Nigella damascena
- Globeflower Trollius europaeus
- Christmas rose Helleborus niger