The pasque flowers are a delight in the spring, with their multiply dissected leaves and large, silky flowers. These come in a variety of colours, but always have the colour of the petals (strictly tepals) repeated in the stigma, with these two areas of matching colour separated by a ring of bright yellow stamens. Flowers are followed by wonderful fluffy seeds. They are all excellent plants for a rock garden or raised bed. It is said that they resent being moved, but also that they can be propagated by root cuttings! Take your pick: my advice is to leave them alone.

Pulsatilla halleri is a delightful plant, covered in fine hairs that give it a distinctive silky appearance. The flowers are light violet with yellow stamens and a matching violet stigma, and are produced in large numbers once the plant is established.