Pulsatilla vulgaris
P. vulgaris
Pulsatilla vulgaris seed head
This delicate perennial is native to Great Britain, western France to the Ukraine, and was brought into American gardens during the seventeenth century. In 1771 Thomas Jefferson included Pasque Flower as a desirable plant in his plans for “The Open Ground on the West—a shrubbery” at Monticello. On April 8, 1811, he recorded that “Anemone pulsatilla. belle plante vivace” was planted in a southwest oval flower bed near the west portico of Monticello. Jefferson likely received seed from Philadelphia nurseryman Bernard McMahon, who listed Anemone pulsatilla as early as 1805.
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Blooming Dates: April -June
Color(s): Deep royal purple to pale purple or rarely white flowers followed by silvery plumed seed-heads in early summer
Location at Monticello: Oval Flower Beds