Pulsatilla 2017

[Rick R.]

I had the idea that P. flavescens sent up leaves with the flowers, so I question.....

At this stage, P.vernalis is a strong possibility, but I don't think the foliage is correct if this posting is correct:
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5290.msg147113#msg147113

Leaflets are palmately arranged, rather than pinnately.  I dug for a foliage pic of mine, and this is all I can find.


Dang! P. vernalis is missing in Olga Bondareva's priceless Pulsatilla foliage pic

[Maggi Young]

That foliage is not vernalis, for sure.   Wonder if it's a flavescens hybrid?

[Rick R.]

Kris, sorry I forgot to answer you...
Yes, the so-labeled "flavescens" is in my garden.  It grows in rich clay in full sun.  Not exactly the soil one would think it would be happy in, but there is a large White spruce on the north side that keeps the soil dryish.  I would guess the quick removal of excess moisture by the tree'roots is the saving attribute.

[Paul Cumbleton]

This is Pulsatilla tatewakii from Sakhalin (a large Russian island in the North Pacific Ocean). As well as the attractive nodding flowers it has beautiful golden hairs on the leaves. Seed was from Jelitto, sown last year.

Paul

[Maggi Young]

I'm glad you told us what the plant was, Paul - I nearly thought with all that fur it was a misplaced Pet Photo of a new kitten! 

[Gerdk]

Paul,
an extraordinary beauty!

Gerd

[Tim Ingram]

Very beautiful Paul. The flowers look quite small. I have one plant of Pulsatilla dahurica grown from seed Olga Bondareva gave me but the flowers are pretty insignificant compared to familiar garden Pasque flowers, and certainly compared to this lovely thing. A wonderful genus to explore.

[Rick R.]

A fantastic plant and perfect photos, Paul!  incredible how the hairs seem to hang down.

Any pics of when the bracts were still hugging the flower bud?

[kris]

very beautiful.
What type of soil does it need Paul?

[Paul Cumbleton]

The flowers are between 2 and 3 cm diameter. The earliest picture I have of the buds is below - just a snapshot. They have a definite preference for a slightly acidic soil i.e. one with no lime in it. Having said that, some have survived and even flowered in very alkaline conditions outside, but they are clearly not thriving or happy and have made much smaller plants than those in slightly acidic compost. My best plant is in a medium called Sylvagrow which is a blend of fine bark, wood fibre and coir and has a pH of 6.5

Paul

[Rick R.]

That's a beautiful growth stage, and more anemone-like foliage, I see.  Overall, quite spectacular!

[Karol Torzewski]

Differences in two subspecies of Pulsatilla pratensis

[Karol Torzewski]

Very dark and very bright form of Pulsatilla pratensis

[Maggi Young]

Hi Karol - welcome!
 Nice comparisons of the pulsatillas.

[Leucogenes]

A little bit unusually at this season..., however, she blossoms first sometimes with me. Pulsatilla tatewaki.