Pulsatilla halleri

HALLER’S SILK PASQUE FLOWERS

Syn. Anemone halleri

Pulsatilla halleri
HALLER’S SILK PASQUE FLOWERS
Syn. Anemone halleri

Pulsatilla halleri is an exceptionally beautiful (and hairy) member of the Pasque Flower family.

Rich lavender-blue stars encased in silver silk

They are called “Silk Pasque Flowers” because the blooms emerge from casings of fine silvery filaments that look like gossamer silk threads.

Large star blooms beam up amongst silver silk

Blooms are also large (8cm. across approx.), star shaped, and up-facing – so they really do twinkle up at you out of their silvery, silky casings.
With the rich-lavender blue petals contrasting so well with the silver fur.

Foliage & stems also wear silver silk coats

Even the leaves and stems of the plants are covered with silver silken hairs.
So the plants are lovely garden colour and textural contrast, even when they are not in flower.

Breathtakingly lovely in late winter & early spring

However come late winter and early spring, when you are desperate for flowers and colour – Pulsatilla halleri in bloom are breathtakingly lovely things.

Wonderful wildly harum-scarum silky seed heads in summer 

Then spectacular fluffy seed heads follow the glistening flowers, and continue the show in summer.
Though for me, these wildly harum-scarum silky seed heads are just as lovely (maybe even lovelier) as the dramatic flowers.

Excellent cut flowers & garden value

And these gleaming seed heads of summer silk make lovely additions to a vase of cut flowers.
As do the flowers earlier in the season – the stems are just long enough at around 20cm. tall, to cut for a small vase.

Great value for long seasons of interest

So all in all, Pulsatilla halleri delivers great value over a very long time.
With a procession of lovely silky buds, stars of flowers embedded in silk, wonderful gossamer seed heads and a neat silken foliage clump.

Hardy & easy to grow

Plant Pulsatilla halleri in Sun to ½ Shade and areas of Dappled Sun and Shade.
Where they are tolerant of periods of dry, once settled in.

Frost hardy & not fussy about soils

Being extremely frost hardy also adds to the virtues of Haller’s Silk Pasque Flowers.
And they are not fussy about soil, being able to grow in both acid and alkaline soils, sandy or loamy soils, just as long as it is well drained and has some humus added.

Easy care & low maintenance

Plants of Pulsatilla halleri form neat and hardy perennial clumps.
Plus they are very easy care, low maintenance plants in the garden, being rarely if ever troubled by any pests or diseases.

Resistant to rabbits & deer

Fortunately our foraging foes find them distasteful.

But a boon to bees & pollinators 

While honey-bees and native bees, as well as other pollinator friends cannot resist the nectar and pollen in the late winter and spring flowers.

Quick & easy from seed to flower

Pulsailla halleri are also quick and easy to grow from seed.

Making perennial clumps of exquisite flowers to 20cm. High x 20cm Wide mound of decorative foliage, all covered in silken silver hairs.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suits beginners & gardening with kids

Sow Pulsatilla halleri seeds indoors in winter, spring or autumn, whenever suitable temperatures can be given (15-21°C).
OR
Sow seed outdoors in the garden during winter or spring.

Sow indoors for quick plants & early flowers: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then press the seeds gently into the surface of the mix to ensure good contact.
But do not cover the seeds with mix.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place the sown, moist punnet in a well-lit position.
A bright window-sill or well lit corner is perfect (but not in any direct sunlight).
You can use a temperature-controlled heat mat if you have one, but this is not essential as these seeds are easy and quick to germinate given suitable temperatures.

Temperatures of 15-21°C. are optimum for rapid and thorough germination.

Continue to keep the punnet consistently moist by misting from a spray water-bottle.
Placing a clear plastic cover or bag over the punnet can also help to maintain consistent moisture and prevent the seeds drying out.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 21-28 days.

But if the seeds are shy to germinate – Then cling wrap your moist punnet.
And place in the fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks to break the seeds dormancy with a “pretend winter”.

Then remove, unwrap & return the sown, moist punnet to a well-lit position at 15-21°C. again.
Keep moist until seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves.
And prick out into pots to grow on for garden planting..

Seed Count: 15 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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