International Flower Bulb Centre
Family
Ranunculaceae
Botanical Name
Ranunculus asiaticus
Plant Common Name
Garden Ranunculus, Persian Buttercup
General Description
Introduced to Europe from Turkey in the late sixteenth century and still popular as a garden and florists' plant, this tender tuberous perennial from the eastern Mediterranean produces showy red, pink, purple, yellow, orange, or white blooms on compact stems in late spring and summer. Most cultivated forms bear ruffled pompon-like double flowers. The leaves, which typically emerge very early in the season, are deeply lobed and bluish-green. Plants go dormant after bloom. Several groups of garden ranunculus are commonly cultivated, including the tall, large-flowered, relatively hardy turban types and the smaller, more refined Persian types, both introduced 300 or more years ago. Later introductions include the semi-double black-eyed French types and the tall free-flowering peony types. The Tecolote and Hadeco strains are most often seen today.
These sun-loving perennials require dry summers and relatively moist mild winters. Plant them in fall where hardy; in other areas plant them after danger of freeze. In regions with damp summers give them a well-drained or sloping site. Garden ranunculus also do well in containers, kept moderately moist in winter and spring and dry in summer and fall. Use these colorful perennials for bedding or cutting or for punctuating mixed borders or cottage gardens.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 11
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Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
10"-18" / 25.4cm - 45.7cm
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Width
4"-8" / 10.2cm - 20.3cm
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Yellow, Red, Purple, Orange, Pink
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Blue Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single, Double, Semi-Double
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
