Ranunculus asiaticus - Persian Buttercup

Brimming with petals and colour, the Persian Buttercup adds brilliant spring colour to your garden. Hardy through most of the UK down to -10°C.

Fantastic for adding colour to your garden in beds or containers, the Persian Buttercup blooms in shades of yellow, red, white and pink-and-white. The mid-green foliage is delicately forked, adding a lush backdrop for these seasonal blooms. Keep them happy with plenty of sun and shelter from the wind and they'll reward you with bright blooms between late spring and early autumn, depending when you plant them out. While they are perennial plants, they can be difficult to reflower so are often treated as annuals - meaning it's best to make the most out of them while they are blooming. Fall in love with these bright, rose-like blooms this summer.

Scientific Name
Ranunculus asiaticus (little frog plant, from Asia)

Common Name
Persian Buttercup, Persian Crowfoot, Bedding Ranunculus

Origin
As its name suggests, this plant is native to the Near East, originating in Greece and the Aegean, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Libya and Turkey.

Pruning Tips
No pruning required here, but you can deadhead to keep those blooms neat and blooming longer.

Wildlife Value
May occasionally be visited by bees, but isn't particularly attractive to pollinators here in the UK.

Positioning
Grow in full sun, sheltered from cold winds.

Water
Water in dry weather whilst it's growing; it will benefit from a dry dormancy period in summer so don't worry about watering once it's done blooming. 

Soil
Make sure soil is well-draining; sandy or loamy soils work best for Ranunculus plants.

Food
Feed when they start to grow in spring to give them a boost; this is most necessary in containers or in garden borders.

Pet-safe
No - like many members of the buttercup family, this plant is toxic to pets.

Sprouts Top Tips
For the best display, plant in groups and mix with other spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and anemones for a layered, vibrant effect. If growing in colder areas, lift and store corms after flowering to replant the following year.