Ficaria verna subsp. verna

RHS Plant Profile

lesser celandine

Other common names

spring celandine, crain, crow's foot, figwort, Kenningworth, marsh pilewort, pilewort, small celandine

Synonyms

Ficaria verna subsp. bulbilifer
Ficaria ranunculoides
Ranunculus ficaria subsp. bulbilifer
Ranunculus ficaria subsp. ficaria

Herbaceous Perennial

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A low-growing perennial with glossy, rounded, heart-shaped leaves that disappear in early summer. Flowers in spring are 2-3cm across, yellow and shiny, creating an early source of nectar. This subspecies produces small bulbils in the leaf axils

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–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
Habit: Matforming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eatenskin 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: Correct
Plant Range: Europe, N Africa, SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Occurs naturally in open woods, hedges and damp meadows. 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 lesser celandine for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seeds, bulbils and tubers

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews