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 patens is one of several collections from the Rocky Mountains, although the species is also known in Asia and Europe. It has lovely soft, downy foliage and pale bluish purple flowers with bright yellow stamens.