Pasque flower , sometimes also referred to as garden pasque-flower, is one of the most beautiful flowering spring perennials. Both openwork pasque-flower leaves, bell-shaped flowers and round, softly mossy fruits are decorative. Get to know the most beautifulvarieties of the garden pasque-flowerand their requirements. We suggest howcultivating pasque-flowerlooks like and we reveal ways to reproduce it.
Pasque-flower - Pulsatilla vulgaris
Fig. pixabay.com
Pasque Flower(Anemone pulsatilla, syn.Pulsatilla vulgaris) belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). In nature, it can be found in European forests and meadows. Once widespread, now the pasque-flower in Poland is present only as a breeding species. The popular plant has many hybrid varieties, commonly known aspasque flower(Pulsatilla x hybrida).
What does the pasque-flower look like?
Pasque flower is a perennialforms small clumps that grow up to 40 cm in height during flowering. In spring, the first flower buds emerge from the ground. Heavily indented, feathery, slightly hairyleaves of the pasque-flowerform a butt-rosette. They grow from a storage rhizome. The entire plant is initially covered with fine, silky hair, which it gradually loses.
Pasque-shaped inflorescence shoots are crowned with single, bell-shaped flowers, approx. 6-8 cm in diameter. Depending on the varietythe flowers of the pasque-flowercan be purple (pale to dark purple), red, purple or white.The yellow center contrasts with the petals of the crown. Decorative, openwork perianth leaves surround the crown like a ruff.
Decorative Pasque Flower
Fig. pixabay.com
The pasque-flower blooms from March(in the west of Poland) to May (in the east and south) depending on the region of the country . The plant will wade, it is worth leaving it in the bed - in June, round, fluffy, decorative fruits of pasque-flower appear on elongating stemsdecorative pasque-flowers
Pasque flower - cultivation and requirements
The cultivation of the pasque-floweris best done in places full of sun, with permeable, fairly fertile soil, with a neutral to alkaline pH (pH 6.6 -7.2).
The substrate for pasque-flower cultivationshould contain sand, gravel and pebbles, which promote good drainage and facilitate drainage of excess water. Water stagnation can lead to the death of plants both in summer, during heavy rainfall, and in winter, when the soil freezes.Sincepasque flower does not tolerate excess water , we only water it when there is no rainfall for a long time.
A variety of pasque-flower with burgundy flowers
Fig. pixabay.com
Sasanka - where and what to plant with?
The pasque-flower is one of the first spring flowers. Planted in a group, it creates showy clumps. It looks good on rockeries and mountaineering.It fits perfectly with plants such as: crocus, primrose, narcissus, hyacinth, love, geese, żagwin, evergreen garment, some varieties of tulips, heathers and conifers. When choosing a place for her, remember thatthe pasque-flower doesn't like overdoing it
Garden pasque-flower with white flowers
Fig. pixabay.com
Pasque flower - varieties
Mostly for sale there are purple-bluevarieties of pasque-flower , but you can also find plants with white flowers, such as e.g. garden pasque-flower 'Alba', pale pink, e.g. garden pasque-flower ' Barton's Pink 'and' Pnk Shades', or red ones, e.g. 'Eva Constance', 'Röde Klokke', 'Rubra' pasque-flowers.Pasque-flower variety 'Papageno'stands out with flowers of various colors, from white to cherry and purple.
Pasque flower - reproduction
Pasque flower is easily multiplied from seedssown on a seedbed or in a greenhouse.If we sow them right after harvesting, that is in June, then they will sprout in the same year. You can also use autumn (in November) and spring (from April to June) sowing, bearing in mind, however, that ham seeds lose their germination. There is no need to cover the seeds with soil as they germinate best in the light. Just press them gently into the ground. The next year, we can replant the young plants to a permanent place.
Pasque flowers most often have purple or blue flowers
Fig. pixabay.com
Pasque-flowers propagated from seedsdo not repeat the parental characteristics, therefore we only reproduce the basic species in this way. Decorative varieties of garden pasque-flower are better to be propagated vegetatively by dividing the rhizome of a perennial.
Pasque-flower is a short-lived perennialand loses its attractive appearance after 4-5 years. Then it is worth rejuvenating it, acquiring new plants at the same time.In late summer, we dig up the rhizome from the ground and divide it into several parts so that each has at least 2 leaves and strong roots. The obtained seedlings should be planted in a permanent place immediately.
Is the pasque flower poisonous?
Few people realize that pasque-flower is a poisonous garden plant, both for people and for animals. The toxins contained in sasanka (protoanemonin and anemonin) can cause central nervous system paralysis, nausea and intoxication. Fortunately, the harmfulness of pasque-flower is considered to be moderate, and the likelihood of accidental poisoning by pasque-flower eating this plant is negligible. In the past, pasque-flower was used as a medicinal plant. Pasque herb was considered a sedative.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
