Pulsatilla vernalis

LADY OF THE SNOWS

Pulsatilla vernalis
LADY OF THE SNOWS

Pulsatilla vernalis is a true aristocrat of the Pasque Flower family, and considered the loveliest of all the dwarf growing Pulsatillas.

Large showy cups on a dwarf plant

The plants are compact and dwarf (only 10-15cm. high x 10cm. wide).
While the cup shaped flowers are large and very showy.
So they are ideal for small gardens or pots, or mass planting on a larger scale – spectacular in drifts or intermingled with dwarf bulbs such as species Tulips or Miniature Daffodils. Wow !!!

Shining satin white petals with blue-purple flushed backs 

The flowers are exquisite in both texture and colouring.
With the petals seeming to be cut from lustrous white satin, flushed on the reverse with veils of blue-purple.
Which contrasts superbly with a large, showy central boss of shining golden stamens.
This plant is a real blue-blood.

Gorgeous clustered bunches of Pasque Flowers

Coming in clustered bunches of large cups in late winter and early spring.

Lady of the Snows heralds the end of winter 

Because these gorgeous clusters open from bells of buds at a time of the year when flowers are so welcome. (For both gardeners and bees alike).
So the blooms are breathtakingly lovely during late winter and early spring, when you are desperate for flowers after the long gloomy winter.
The name Lady of the Snows comes because in very cold areas the early flowers poke up from below the late snowfalls.

Harum-scarum silky seed heads follow

Though for me, the wildly harum-scarum, large, long, silky seed heads that follow over summer, are just as lovely as the dramatic flowers.

Value for a long time

So plants of Lady of the Snow deliver great value for a very long time
With their combination of hairy buds, superb display of early flowers, followed by wonderful seed heads, combined with lacy foliage.

Ferny, finely cut foliage

The foliage clumps of Pulsatilla vernalis are also exquisite.
Being feathery and finely cut, sitting as a neat rosette of lace below the bunched blooms.

Hardy & easy to grow

Plant Pulsatilla vernalis in Sun to ½ Shade or Dappled Sun, where they are tolerant of periods of dry, once settled in.

Drought resistant once established

Because Pulsatilla vernalis grows from a deeply foraging rhizome, once it is established it has the resources to endure some periods of drought.

Tough in hard frost too

Being extremely frost hardy adds to the Lady’s virtues.
She also appreciates a handful of dolomite lime (unless you already garden on limestone country), together with some fertilizer in early spring and again in autumn.

Easy low maintenance

Pulsatilla vernalis forms neat & hardy perennial clumps that will be with you for many years to charm the end of winter.
Other than a twice yearly feed and lime – there is little else to do.
Do not be alarmed if the foliage disappears during the hottest part of summer.
This is just a normal part of the plant’s ability to cope with a long, hot, dry summer.
They will be back with the winter moisture.
15cm. High x 10cm. Wide.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Sow Pulsatilla seeds indoors in autumn & early winter.
OR
Scatter outdoors during autumn or early winter.
However since the seeds do not germinate till spring – they run the risk outdoors of being eaten by birds etc. We advise sowing indoors.

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

Then thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath.
And leave until the water percolates to the surface of the mix from below.

Now wrap the moist sown punnet in cling-wrap or a plastic bag and place in the fridge (not freezer) until late winter 6-12 weeks is beneficial).

The  remove, unwrap, re-moisten and place the punnet in well-lit position.
A bright window-sill or well lit corner is perfect (but not in any direct sunlight).
You can use temperature-controlled heat mat if you have one, but this is not essential as these seeds are easy and quick to germinate.

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

Continue to keep consistently moist by misting from a spray water-bottle regularly.
Placing a clear plastic cover over the punnet will also help to maintain consistent moisture.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 21-28 days.

Keep moist until ready to prick out when the seedlings have their first set of true leaves.
Grow on in small pots till ready to plant out in the garden.

But if the seeds are still shy to germinate – Give them further  chilling in the fridge (not freezer) for a another 4-6 weeks to break the seed dormancy.

Then remove, unwrap & return to well-lit position at 15-21°C

Seed Count: 10 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

Click here for Nursery Open Days & Open Gardens Information
https://www.gardivalia.com.au/open-gardens

Click here to go back to Seeds Shop
https://www.seedscape.net.au/shop/