Pulsatilla vulgaris Rubra - Red Pasque flower - pictures

Pulsatilla vulgaris Rubra is a red variety of the Pasque Flower.
This gorgeous wildflower blooms in early spring, usually around Easter, which leads to the common name Easter flower or Pasque flower. Pulsatilla vulgaris flower buds, as well as the flower stem and leaves are completely covered with silky hairs but when the flower opens, it reveals its gorgeous, velvety petals and a striking, contrasting yellow center.

Red pulsatilla has deep maroon-red bell-shaped, upright flowers.

All Pulsatilla varieties are clump-forming, herbaceous perennials with finely serrated, light green foliage with a silvery appearance because of the wooly hair that cover the leaves.

The flowers are followed by silky, strange but ornamental seed heads.
Meadow anemone, on its other name, grows well in full sun or part shade but being an alpine plant, it doesn't tolerate heat. This plant require good drainage and infertile soil, that make it a good candidate for rock gardens.

Many hybrids and cultivars exist these days, in a variety of flower colors and names like Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Red Cloak' or "Red bells", including various shades of red, white, lavender and even pink.

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Best Easter wishes! - though still winter

Let these pink cherry blossoms from my Easter greeting card boost the holiday spirit and help forget about the snow covered landscape outdoors.

At first, March came with beautiful, spring sunshine but a few days back, winter has changes its mind. The Easter bunny comes with snow, this year.
I don't remember having such an early Easter ever but I know, there never was an Easter holiday covered with snow in these parts, like we'll have in just four days.

 Cheer up and celebrate this beautiful season with all your dear ones.

Happy Easter, my friends!

Wishing you all an Easter filled
With laughter and happy new memories,
But most of all, an Easter
That renews your faith,
Uplifts your spirit,
And fills your heart with joy.

Have a very Happy Easter!

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Pulsatilla vulgaris - Easter flower photos - growth

Pulsatilla vulgaris is one of the earliest blooming flower blooming in spring.

Pulsatilla flowers

Also known as Pasque flower, this beauty is a low-growing, 15–30 cm high perennial, native to Eurasia.

Another common name for Pasque flower is Easter flower, originating form the time of year that the plant blooms.
Its blooms precede most of the foliage in spring and they are of legendary beauty. The entire plant, leaves, the short flower stems and flowers are covered with silky hairs that gives the plant an appearance of haze from the distance.

Pulsatilla seeds

Flowers:
The most common flower color is lavender with a bright yellow center.
Different species have different colors. Pulsatilla vulgaris rubra has dark red flower, while Pulsatilla vulgaris alba is white.

Seeds:
 Silky, fluffy seed-heads follow the flowers which can persist on the plant for many months.

Light and soil requirements for Pasque Flower:

Pulsatilla prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained, sandy or humusy soil.

Suggested locations for planting:
With its need for good drainage and clumping growth habit, Pulsatilla vulgaris is the perfect plant for rock gardens, gravel gardens and they are lovely container plants as well.

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Vintage Valentine's card

Today is Valentine's Day - or, as men like to call it, Extortion Day!

~ Jay Leno 

Though a simple card with a rose cost nothing and does the same thing.

A friendship that like love is warm; A love like friendship, steady.

~ Thomas Moore


Happy Valentine's day!

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Geranium phaeum photos-Dusky Cranesbill-Mourning Widow

Geranium phaeum is a clump-forming perennial, a hardy geranium, often cultivated as garden plant.
Dusky Cranesbill, Mourning Widow and Black Widow are some of the common names this European native plant is known by worldwide.

Geranium phaeum grows 45-75cm (18-30 inches) tall, producing hairy flower buds on branching, slender stems.
Its tiny, slightly reflexed flowers are deep violet-maroon, almost black, having a lighter whitish center ring. White colored flowers exist as well.


Blooming period is from end April to July, with sporadic re-bloom throughout the summer.

Geranium phaeum leaves are slightly hairy, lobed, soft green, often with a purple mark.
After flowering, cranesbill-like seed heads will form and the plant will reseeds, if allowed.

Geranium phaeum grows naturally in damp meadows and along the edge of woodland. It loves damp but well-drained soil in partial shade, though it tolerates sun and will withstand even periods of drought.

Planted in shade gardens, wild gardens, under trees and bushes and shady borders this perennial geranium is a showy plant.
Like its relatives, the Geranium Molle and the Geranium macrorrhizum, this plant needs no maintenance either.

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