Ranunculus ficaria
Lesser celandine, Pilewort
- Height × spread
- 0.05m – 0.05m × 0.2m – 0.2m
- Position
- Part shade
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Low growing early flowering little gem, great for ground cover in shade. The deep green or bronze foliage appears in winter, swiftly followed in spring by bright yellow or orange starry blooms, a welcome early source of nectar for pollinators. Grows 10cm-20cm tall and spreads 20cm. It's a great plant for naturalising woodland areas.
- Flower colour
- Orange, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Brown, Green, Purple
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.05m – 0.05m
- Spread
- 0.2m – 0.2m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Found in
More Ranunculus
Ranunculus
Buttercup, Crowfoot
Ranunculus aconitifolius
Fair maids of Kent, White bachelor's buttons, Buttercup, Crowfoot
Ranunculus aconitifolius 'Flore Pleno'
Fair maids of France, Fair maids of Kent, White Bachelor's Buttons
Ranunculus acris
Meadow buttercup, Meadow bloom, Gold cup, Tall buttercup
Ranunculus acris 'Citrinus'
Meadow buttercup
Ranunculus acris 'Flore Pleno'
Yellow bachelor's buttons, Meadow buttercup
Ranunculus alpestris
Alpine buttercup
Ranunculus asiaticus
Persian buttercup, Turban buttercup