Pulsatilla patens - Canadian prairies

[Lori S.]

The harbinger of spring on the Canadian prairies - Pulsatilla patens - is in glorious bloom here, and I thought you might like to see!  Here are a few shots from my bike ride home today along the Bow River through NW Calgary.
     
     
   
 

[Lori S.]

As you can see from some of the photos, there are houses on the other side of the river and bordering this park on the bike path side where I travel... quite a nice thing to have unbroken prairie just across the street from a residential area!

 

Well, since there is little happening in the yard yet (and, by the way, a raging snow storm for a few hours today), it's especially nice that we can count on nature to provide the interest!  

[Lesley Cox]

How wonderful to have these literally at one's door Lori. They are really beautiful, flowering before the leaves get going. There seems to be almost no variation in the colouring?

[Lori S.]

No, not much that I noticed, Lesley... here's a photo of one that shows pinkish backsides to the petals (rather than a more distinct mauve - not sure if this really comes across in the photo but it was why I noticed those particular plants), and some seem to have narrower, pointier petals.

[Knud]

Wonderful pictures, Lori, thank you. That is one enviable bicycle ride!

Knud

[JPB]

Beautiful pictures! Lori, here's one of the Pulsatilla patens plantlets grown from seed you collected for me in Bowmont Park, Calgary. I can't wait to see it in flower!

[Armin]

Lori,
thanks for posting the lovely pulsatilla images
Nice to see spring reached NW Calgary.