Plant Library

Other Names:  Prairie Crocus

Description:

An early blooming rock garden plant with bright red blossoms held closely over delicately pubescent mounds of feathery leaves; suitable for rockeries and dry gardens

Ornamental Features

Red Bells Pasqueflower has dark red bell-shaped flowers with yellow eyes at the ends of the stems in early spring, which are interesting on close inspection. The flowers are excellent for cutting. The silver fruits are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from early summer to early fall. Its deeply cut ferny compound leaves remain grayish green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Red Bells Pasqueflower is an herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Red Bells Pasqueflower is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Red Bells Pasqueflower will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.