A rarely cultivated pasqueflower from the mountains of Siberia and northeastern Asia, Pulsatilla ambigua is a hardy alpine perennial valued for both its early blooms and finely cut foliage. Emerging in the first warmth of spring, its silky, fernlike leaves form a low mound that is soon topped by large, nodding, bell-shaped flowers. The blossoms range from soft lavender to violet, sometimes flushed with deeper purple, and are covered in fine silvery hairs that catch the light. As the flowers fade, the seedheads develop into dramatic feathery plumes, extending the season of interest well into summer.
In the wild, P. ambigua inhabits open mountain meadows and rocky slopes, thriving in lean, well-drained soils with full sun and cold winters. In the rock garden it is at its best when given a gritty substrate and space to show off both flowers and seedheads. It also adapts well to troughs and raised beds, where sharp drainage can be assured.
Hardy to USDA zone 3 (–40 °F / –40 °C), this species is exceptionally tolerant of cold and drought once established, making it a resilient and enduring choice for alpine enthusiasts. Its early bloom and ornamental seed stage provide months of beauty, bringing a touch of Siberian spring to the garden..
A rarely cultivated pasqueflower from the mountains of Siberia and northeastern Asia, Pulsatilla ambigua is a hardy alpine perennial valued for both its early blooms and finely cut foliage. Emerging in the first warmth of spring, its silky, fernlike leaves form a low mound that is soon topped by large, nodding, bell-shaped flowers. The blossoms range from soft lavender to violet, sometimes flushed with deeper purple, and are covered in fine silvery hairs that catch the light. As the flowers fade, the seedheads develop into dramatic feathery plumes, extending the season of interest well into summer.
In the wild, P. ambigua inhabits open mountain meadows and rocky slopes, thriving in lean, well-drained soils with full sun and cold winters. In the rock garden it is at its best when given a gritty substrate and space to show off both flowers and seedheads. It also adapts well to troughs and raised beds, where sharp drainage can be assured.
Hardy to USDA zone 3 (–40 °F / –40 °C), this species is exceptionally tolerant of cold and drought once established, making it a resilient and enduring choice for alpine enthusiasts. Its early bloom and ornamental seed stage provide months of beauty, bringing a touch of Siberian spring to the garden..
