Ranunculus

RHS Genus Guide

Ranunculus come in various forms, usually with small bowl-shaped flowers that have glossy yellow or white petals. While some buttercups can be invasive weeds, many are excellent garden plants for borders and containers. Meadow and aquatic or bog buttercups are a useful early source of nectar for pollinators. Those that grow from underground tubers and more delicate-looking types tend to need specialist care.

Botanical name: Ranunculus

Common name: Buttercup

RHS / Tim Sandall

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RHS Recommended

Ranunculus

common water crowfoot

Ranunculus aquatilis

common water crowfoot

Height: Up to 10cm
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

large-flowered greater spearwort

Ranunculus lingua 'Grandiflorus'

large-flowered greater spearwort

Height: 1–1.5 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

meadow buttercup

Ranunculus acris

meadow buttercup

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

white bachelor's buttons

Ranunculus aconitifolius 'Flore Pleno' (d)

white bachelor's buttons

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

high alpine buttercup

Ranunculus calandrinioides

high alpine buttercup

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0–0.1 metre

lesser celandine

Ficaria verna subsp. verna

lesser celandine

Height: Up to 10cm
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

lesser celandine 'Orange Sorbet'

Ficaria verna 'Orange Sorbet' (d)

lesser celandine 'Orange Sorbet'

Height: Up to 10cm
Width: 0–0.1 metre

double meadow buttercup

Ranunculus acris 'Flore Pleno' (d)

double meadow buttercup

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

lesser spearwort

Ranunculus flammula

lesser spearwort

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

lesser celandine 'Randall's White'

Ficaria verna 'Randall's White'

lesser celandine 'Randall's White'

Height: Up to 10cm
Width: 0–0.1 metre

Award of Garden Merit

Plants for pollinators

See all Ranunculus