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Herbaceous PerennialSynonym

Ranunculus ficaria Flore Pleno Group

A tuberous, summer-dormant perennial to 10cm tall, with long-stalked, glossy, heart-shaped leaves with irregular, silvery markings. In early spring it produces bright yellow, double flowers with a green centre. It is useful for providing early spring colour and for underplanting trees and shrubs

Synonyms

Ranunculus ficaria Flore Pleno Group
Ranunculus ficaria flore-pleno
see moreFicaria verna double, yellow-flowered

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Ultimate height

Up to 10cm

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–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)

Botanical details

Family: Ranunculaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Matforming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Ficaria is a relatively small genus of European herbs. It is closely related to buttercups (Ranunculus) and is sometimes included within that genus
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, humus-rich soil in full or partial shade. A good early source of pollen and nectar for insects, though plants can spread and have potential to become a nuisance if not controlled. See celandine cultivation

Propagation

Divide, or detach basal bulbils in spring or autumn. Propagate by seed as soon as it is ripe, in a cold frame; cultivars will not come true from seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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