Pasque Flower
Pulsatilla vulgaris (syn. Anemone pulsatilla)
An Old World native introduced to Colonial America in the 1500's, Pasque Flower bears striking purple flower hues (and, rarely, white flowers) in early summer, followed by silvery ornamental seed-heads.
This delicate perennial is native to Great Britain and Europe, ranging from western France to Ukraine, and was brought into American gardens during the seventeenth century. In 1771 Thomas Jefferson included Pasque Flower as a desirable plant in his plans for “The Open Ground on the West—a shrubbery” at Monticello. On April 8, 1811, he recorded that “Anemone pulsatilla. belle plante vivace” was planted in a southwest oval flower bed near the west portico of Monticello. Jefferson likely received seed from Philadelphia nurseryman Bernard McMahon, who listed Anemone pulsatilla as early as 1805.
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
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Heirloom Seeds and Plants from the Monticello collection
Plant history in your gardens with seeds and plants from Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.
