The Pasque flower, Pulsatilla vulgaris, likes my free draining soil. Despite the torrential winter rain this year, it’s looking healthy, in flower again and a more substantial plant after three years in the border. 

This is a plant for full sun that will take a baking. It’s also a ‘front of border’ plant – about 20cm tall and wide and needs to be planted within reach for a stroke. Yes, a stroke! Both the buds and the backs of the flowers are silky to the touch.

The silky buds open to light purple, cup-shaped flowers which mature to a star shape. As the flowers develop, ferny foliage appears at the base of the stems. The foliage continues to look good after the flowering season has finished, which will be towards the end of May.