The pasqueflower – Pulsatilla vulgaris – is a dwarf, hardy herbaceous perennial with large, sumptuous, nodding, starry, bell-shaped flowers. The petals, particularly early in their season, are covered in silky hairs which gives them a silvery sheen. The usually lavender/lilac/purple blooms each have a prominent central boss of golden-yellow stamens. If you look for them, there are Pulsatilla cultivars with flowers of white, pink and deep red, too. The showy flowers are held above attractive, ferny foliage.

Pulsatilla plants make a delightful combination for a sunny border, for a rock or scree garden, or for planting in gaps in paving. They are at their absolute best in late spring and early summer. Combine pasqueflowers with other spring-flowering rock plants such as Aurinia. In the wild, pulsatillas originated on grassland, and the stony slopes of mountainous regions, right across Europe, North America and Asia.

Generally resistant to pests and diseases, pulsatillas dislike root disturbance, so once planted, leave them alone (except for when you wish to propagate them, which is easy by taking root cuttings in winter).