Buttercup Flower

Ranunculus bulbosus, commonly known as the bulbous buttercup, is a perennial flowering plant in the buttercup family. Its bright yellow flowers attract pollinators. Its leaves are deeply divided with three lobes. Ranunculus bulbosus flowers bloom in late spring and early summer.

Bulbous buttercup is a lovely flowering plant that is not only easy to grow but has many common names referring to the gorgeous yellow flowers. Buttercup is native to Europe and Japan, can be found growing in the wild and is cultivated in gardens throughout the world. When blooming, this perennial flower has small, butter-colored flowers with three-lobed leaves that develop slowly from a basal rosette.

Ranunculus’s name is Buttercup

Buttercups, also known as crowfoot, are part of the Ranunculaceae family, a group of flowering plants with a worldwide distribution. There are 60 genera and over 1,700 species, and most are found in temperate or colder climates. Buttercups are a delicate species, growing no taller than three inches. They are among the earliest flowers to bloom, and their name derives from the Latin word “ranunculus” or “little frog.” Ranunculus species are often found near streams and moist places.

Buttercup flowers are bright yellow

Buttercup flowers are bright yellow because they reflect light like mirrors, attracting insect pollinators. Yellow pigments in the petals are responsible for the yellow hue, and layers of air below them act like mirrors to reflect light. This phenomenon is unique to plants, and is similar to the glowing effect of butterfly wings.

They are a weed

Buttercups are perennial, low-growing, weedy plants with yellow flowers. They commonly occur in lawns, pastures, and hay fields. Their yellow flowers are about half an inch wide and have five to seven petals. If left unchecked, buttercups can overrun an area. While the plants are beautiful and cheerful, they are considered a weed.

They attract pollinators

Buttercup flowers attract a wide range of pollinators. Unlike most flowers, which are pollinated by a single insect, buttercups attract a wide variety of pollinators. These species can be recognized by their bright yellow flowers. They also prefer moist soil and are attractive to long-tongued bees.

They are a lustrous addition to any garden

Buttercups are a lustrous addition to any flowerbed or garden. These flowering plants are often found near the end of winter, early spring, and summer. Buttercup flowers have layers of thin petals, resembling a rose. Seedlings should have four true leaves and can be transplanted directly to a garden bed. The best time to transplant them is after the last frost has passed.

They are easy to grow

Buttercup flowers are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. Buttercups are hardy and grow best in full sun in containers, but they will tolerate shade if grown outdoors. Buttercups like moist, rich soil, but you can use compost and peat moss to improve the soil’s texture. Depending on the species, you may want to add a bit of bone meal to the soil to increase its fertility.

Flowering from March to May, buttercup flowers make a charmingly bright accent for cut gardens. The plants are easy to grow in well-drained soil, and propagate readily by seed. The word Ranunculus itself means “little frog,” due to the swollen, round shape of some plant parts, including the leaves and flower petals. This distinguishes them from the true water lily (Nymphaeaceae family) which have a flat shape. Buttercup flowers make an excellent choice in wildflower gardens or part of a cottage garden planting system, especially when they coordinate with bright red or pink tulips which bloom at the same time.