Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows) Pulsatilla vernalis
Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows) (Pulsatilla vernalis) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family, native to Alpine meadows and northern heaths of Europe, from Scandinavia to the Alps and Pyrenees. It grows 5–15 cm (2–6 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -38 °C (-36 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
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Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Mature height | 5–15 cm (2–6 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -38 °C (-36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Alpine meadows and northern heaths of Europe, from Scandinavia to the Alps and Pyrenees |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows) toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts, sap
Contains protoanemonin like other pasque flowers: blisters skin and mouth and upsets the stomach.
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 Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows)
- How far apart should I plant Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows)?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows)?
- It tolerates about -38 °C (-36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows) flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains protoanemonin like other pasque flowers: blisters skin and mouth and upsets the stomach.
- What grows well with Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Spring pasque flower (lady of the snows). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Alpine Garden Society Encyclopaedia of Alpines and plant portraits, Alpine Garden Society, Pershore (UK)
- Norwegian species and red-list information, Artsdatabanken
Notes and assumptions
- A rock-garden plant: give it gritty, very free-draining soil, full light and a collar of gravel around the neck; winter wet kills it far more often than cold.
- Pearly white cups, flushed violet and covered outside in golden-bronze silky hairs, open at snowmelt from overwintered evergreen rosettes. Protected in many countries; demanding in gardens, needing a gritty, acid scree.
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