Pasque Flower Portraits: Rain, Snow, and Sunlight

I love this flower... I’ve seen it in the wild - it’s always a delightful find - and I’ve seen it at the Botanic Garden, where it’s just as striking. The genus Pulsatilla includes about 40 species of herbaceous perennials native to the meadows and prairies of North America, Europe, and Asia. Common names include pasque flower (or pasqueflower), wind flower, prairie crocus, Easter flower, and meadow anemone.

 

The first time I photographed it this year was in mid-March, on a rainy morning. Water drops clung to every bloom, but pasque flowers are like water magnets - they collect and hold droplets better than almost any other flower. I guess it’s part of their survival strategy.

Several species are prized ornamentals thanks to their finely dissected leaves, solitary bell-shaped flowers, and fluffy seed heads. Fun fact: the colorful part of the bloom isn’t actually petals, but sepals.

The following week, I returned to the Garden on a snowy morning - and again found these beautiful blooms, now blanketed in snow. Yet somehow, they still looked quite happy.

Another week passed, and I expected to find frost-bitten, wilting flowers. But to my surprise, the pasque flowers looked fresh, cheerful, and completely unfazed. This early bloomer is seriously tough - maybe blooming so early teaches it how to survive unpredictable spring weather.

The name “Pasque” is derived from the Hebrew word Pesach (Passover), which typically coincides with the blooming season of the pasque flowers, symbolizing renewal and new beginnings.  

It is the state flower of South Dakota. The pasque flowers holds a special place in the heart of South Dakotans, who have embraced it as their state flower, celebrating its beauty and resilience.

While browsing the Internet, learning more about these species, I came across this description: “The plant is also known for its resilience in harsh environments. Thriving in challenging conditions, the Pasque flower demonstrates remarkable resilience, withstanding harsh climates and rocky terrains.” No wonder it didn’t care about a little snow!

But who ever promised an easy life, right? The next week, snow came again - yet once more, the pasque flowers didn’t seem to mind.

Pasque flowers are a favorite subject for botanical artists and photographers. The captivating allure of the pasque flowers has inspired artists and photographers to capture its beauty, resulting in stunning botanical illustrations and mesmerizing photographs. I would sign under each word...  I’ve taken hundreds of photos, and I still can’t walk past one without stopping for more. There’s just something magical about them.

One fact that did surprise me, though: “Pasque flower is poisonous if ingested or applied to the skin. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dizziness. If you experience any of these symptoms after coming into contact with pasque flower, please seek medical attention immediately.” Not that I’ve ever tried to eat one - or even touched them much—but still... good to know!

Last weekend, I was admiring pasque flowers, was a “dew day”. Everything was sparkling, especially the tulips (look at them - The Tulips That Wouldn’t Give Up) but the pasque flowers took it to another level. The morning light hit the dew-covered blooms, turning them into shimmering gems.

Just look at them! I felt like a kid sneaking into a candy shop - no adults around to stop me from indulging in as many sweets as I wanted.

So I wandered from one flower to the next, doing my best to capture their sparkling beauty.

Thanks ChatGPT for polishing my words :)

Photos were taken in March and April 2025.