Ranunculus: Beautiful Varieties for Home and Garden

by Naomi Slade, Georgianna Lane (Photographer)

A centuries-old flower of love has claimed its place in high-end floral shops and wedding bouquets. “Consumers now understand that this flower has a great vase life and comes in many different colors. In addition, the available varieties have seen some big improvements in the last years.” ― Floral Daily , October 2021 In the language of flowers, ranunculus (aka buttercup) is a symbol of seduction, charm, and attractiveness. It was particularly popular for bouquets in the Victorian era and has made a strong comeback as a bloom for modern-day wedding bouquets. It is the flower of the moment, as gardeners, florists, and alpine enthusiasts all over the world embrace the possibilities of this plant once more. From the wild plants of the high mountains to species that thrive in pond margins or flourish in fast-flowing streams; from the familiar golden flower of lawn and meadow to the most popular cultivated forms, buttercups are variable. And though some seem impossibly delicate, many are excellent garden plants. This guide delves into a genus that is widespread and intriguing. Florists’ ranunculus, with their sumptuous, layered, tissue-paper petals and myriad colors are prized as an early season alternative to roses and peonies.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published February 21, 2023

About the author

Naomi Slade is the author of Dahlias (Pavilion in the UK, Gibbs SMith in the US, 2018), An Orchard Odyssey (Green Books, 2016) and The Plant Lover’s Guide to Snowdrops (Timber Press 2014).

A lifelong natural historian, graduate biologist, former rock band manager and serial entrepreneur, she has won awards for designing both carnival floats and show gardens.

Her award-winning writing has featured in a wide range of newspapers and magazines including The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Financial Times, House and Garden, The Garden, The English Garden and Saga Magazine. She has covered gardens in France as well as the UK and contributed editorial on both sides of the Atlantic.

Interests include plants, people, botany, environment and design; science, social history and architecture. A good day off would involve swimming, skiing, climbing mountains, exploring new horizons or reading a really good book (someone else’s).

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are some of my favourite flowers and I'm now realising how little I know about them. I didn't know they were buttercups and that they are poisonous. I just know they are beautiful. I found it interesting that a lot of the varieties are not available to regular gardeners.

[LUTING CHEN · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful photography. not much new info. 3.5

[Rev · Rating 3 out of 5]

At least the pictures were pretty... 😔😔

[Mrs Reddy Katzy]

BEAUTIFUL 😍 i wonder if there are many other variants?