Pulsatilla halleri subsp. ???

[Armin]

Hello,

I've raised this lovely hairy pulsatilla from seed sown autuum 2008. On the package it was written 'P. halleri subsp. rhodopaea'. I posted the first flower of a seedling in October 2009 here http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3289.msg117644#msg117644

Forum member Karl Plaimer informed me that time it is not ssp. rhodopaea but likely ssp. styriaca original collected by him, but he was not 100% sure due no image of foliage.
Unfortunately in spring 2010 this seedling didn't flower to identify it.

Now, 1 year later,  a 2nd seedling growing in shadow is in full flower while the 1st. seedling growing in full sun does not show flower stems yet!
Interesting is that both seedlings pushed up it's first flower stalks each in autuum (in my climate).
The latter did not open the bud in autuum but fortunately was not killed/damaged by the frost of last winter.

I hope you can identify the subspecies on the latest images...

[TheOnionMan]

Armin, I can't comment on the identity, but regardless, what's not to love about that plant?  Fantastic fluffy involucre bracts.

[Armin]

McMark,

yes - it is a phantastic species. The hairy appearance clearly indicate it is a high mountain species. The actual color was a darker violet then my DC replicated, very lovely. A pity the flowers withered rapidly after day temperatures reached 20°C-25°C (+68°F-+77°F) the last couple of days. I hope there were enough pollinators to get a good seed set.
I'm worrying a bit with my 1st seedling which does not show any significant growth since... I'm afraid it got burned by some fertilization from cat urine
I know from past pulsatilla react very sensitive... But it could be another culprit too - I hope it is not a cock chafer grub or a cutworm munching the roots.
Did the pulsatilla seed germinate at your side?

[TheOnionMan]

McMark,

Did the pulsatilla seed germinate at your side?

Just checked this past weekend, don't see any germination yet, but it is still early here... it has only been the past week where temperatures have warmed up, and I'm seeing lots of germination on such things as Epimedium, Allium, Ungernia, and more *and these only just started showing a couple days ago).  But still waiting for things like Iris and Jeffersonia which typically germinate well, but no sign of them yet.

[Armin]

McMark,

I keep my fingers crossed the pulsatilla seed will still germinate. If it fails I can send you new seed...
'Rote Glocke' looks currently like this.