Ranunculus bulbosus

RHS Plant Profile
bulbous buttercup

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Other common names

butter daisy, crowflower, St Andrew's turnip, St Anthony's turnip, chwys mair

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

A clump-forming hairy, sometimes semi-evergreen perennial to 40cm with fibrous roots and a swollen stem base, and three-lobed, dark green basal and lower stem leaves. In late spring to early summer produces finely branched stems with saucer-shaped, shiny, golden-yellow flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous, Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eatenskin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eatenskin irritant - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Ranunculus can be annuals, biennials, evergreen or herbaceous perennials, with rhizomes, tubers or spreading by runners. The leaves are variable but often palmately lobed or dissected and the flowers usually bowl-shaped
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a rust and grey moulds