Overview
Ranunculus insignis is a bushy herbaceous perennial in the genus Ranunculus, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Ranunculus insignis grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens and mediterranean climate plants.
About
Ranunculus () is a large genus of about 1750 species of flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae. Members of the genus are known as buttercups, spearworts and water crowfoots. The genus is distributed worldwide, primarily in temperate and montane regions. The familiar and widespread buttercup of gardens throughout Northern Europe (and introduced elsewhere) is the creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens, which has extremely tough and tenacious roots. In the garden it prefers full sun and loam and sand soil. In UK gardens it is hardy through an average UK winter (RHS H4). Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens and mediterranean climate plants. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained conditions and south-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant after last frost in fertile soil.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Ranunculus
About the genus
Ranunculus is a large genus of about 1750 species of flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae. Members of the genus are known as buttercups, spearworts and water crowfoots.
Wikipedia contributors, "Ranunculus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Ranunculus
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Ranunculus
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Ranunculus insignis size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Mediterranean climate plants
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Ranunculus insignis
- Propagation
- Propagate by sowing seed in a cold frame but generally better result achieved with tubers
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildew and grey moulds
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Ranunculus insignis?
Ranunculus insignis prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Ranunculus insignis need?
Ranunculus insignis grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Ranunculus insignis hardy in the UK?
Ranunculus insignis has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Ranunculus insignis?
Propagate by sowing seed in a cold frame but generally better result achieved with tubers.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Ranunculus genus
- Ranunculus aconitifoliusfair maids of France
- Ranunculus aconitifolius 'Flore Pleno'Bachelor's Button
- Ranunculus acris 'Flore Pleno'Buttercup
- Ranunculus acris 'Stevenii'Buttercup
- Ranunculus acris multiplexmeadow buttercup
- Ranunculus bulbosus 'F. M. Burton'Bulbous Buttercup
- Ranunculus bulbosus 'Pleniflorus'Bulbous Buttercup 'Pleniflorus'
- Ranunculus linguagreater spearwort
