Ranunculus Species, Creeping Buttercup, Creeping Crowfoot, Meadow Buttercup, Spot-Leaved Crowfoot
Ranunculus repens
Family: | Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Ranunculus (ra-NUN-ku-lus) (Info) |
Species: | repens (REE-penz) (Info) |
Category:
Groundcovers
Water Requirements:
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Good Fall Color
Smooth
Foliage Color:
Chartreuse/Yellow
Height:
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing:
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Bright Yellow
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Athens, Alabama
Seward, Alaska
Aspen, Colorado
Aurora, Colorado
Thomasville, Georgia
Moscow, Idaho
Ashton, Illinois
Leavenworth, Kansas
Roslindale, Massachusetts
Sandwich, Massachusetts
Maben, Mississippi
Missoula, Montana
Croton On Hudson, New York
Kingston, New York
Aurora, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Tipp City, Ohio
Hulbert, Oklahoma
Lititz, Pennsylvania
Morrisville, Pennsylvania
Summerville, South Carolina
Richmond, Texas
Bay Center, Washington
Bremerton, Washington
Everett, Washington
Lakewood, Washington
Mercer Island, Washington
North Sultan, Washington
Sammamish, Washington
Sultan, Washington
Porterfield, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Negative | On Jul 27, 2020, edvac from Snohomish, WA wrote: From the Pacific Northwest area of Washington state we have this to say about Buttercups: |
Negative | On May 10, 2019, haida_gwaii from Cascade-Fairwood, WA wrote: This plant is considered 'a weed of concern' in King County, Washington, likely throughout the state. It quickly overtakes an area and crowds out anything else, reducing biodiversity. It should ABSOLUTELY NOT be planted, rooted, or traded within the United States (and in many parts of the world). It is native to Europe, Asia and northwestern Africa. |
Negative | On May 4, 2018, elliza from Portland, OR wrote: A horrorshow. It got fully embedded into my small front grass space, and partially embedded in the back small grass space. The damage was so bad I ended up pulling everything I could, tilling and amending the soil, then completely reseeding the grass. The year after I did a modified version of this. |
Negative | On Feb 2, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: A noxious weed of lawns and gardens and an invasive species destructive of natural areas. It's on the Massachusetts prohibited plant list, which makes the sale, trade, transport, and planting of this species illegal. |
Negative | On Jul 26, 2013, splaash from Aurora, CO wrote: INVASIVE! I was hoping the 'buttered popcorn' would not be. I put wide edging (above and below the ground) around the plants and it still escaped and moved into other ground covers in the vicinity. Very difficult to eradicate. |
Negative | On Jun 8, 2009, WAHawk from Sammamish, WA wrote: Ditto all the negatives from Western WA. Don't ever let this stuff in your garden unless you like it so well that's all you want to grow. (Even then your neighbors will eventually hate you when it gets into their yards). Yes it's pretty... but I'm at war, and I'm losing! |
Positive | On Apr 10, 2009, giftgas from Everson, WA (Zone 7b) wrote: My dad actually took some of this from a walk in the woods, and put it in his yard. It's been a year now, and he's still happy with the outcome...no more garlic mustard...and yet, I can't remember the last time I saw his lawn, or even dirt for that matter - all that I see are nice little yellow flowers. |
Negative | On Oct 22, 2007, dkaise from Aurora, OH wrote: I would not recommend this plant to anyone for garden use. It spreads everywhere and chokes out any other plants that are in the way. It is so attractive when in bloom, and the leaves are so pretty, that I didn't realize until too late how invasive it was. |
Negative | On May 20, 2006, renwings from Sultan, WA (Zone 8a) wrote: This bugger is awfull here. It grows so thickly that it even chokes out the lawn. It is very difficult to pull too, I think I'd rather pull dandelions. The root holds on with a death grip and it will come back with a vengance if you leave part of the root in the ground. It is pretty in its own way, but makes me want to cry when I find a large patch of it in the flower bed. |
Negative | On Aug 17, 2005, Weezingreens from Seward, AK (Zone 3b) wrote: I do not have this plant in my gardens, but I have seen it in a neighbor's flower bed. She tried eradicating it by digging out the soil and sifting it back in, but it is still coming up. It is not an unpleasant looking plant, but it drops roots wherever the runners go and could choke out other plants on the way. I think I'll stay away from this one! |
Negative | On May 22, 2005, coastgarden from Bay Center, WA (Zone 5a) wrote: Pacific Northwest here, coastal. Not knowing what this plant was, I have 'fought' with it for 3 years now. I call it a weed and spend enormous amount of time digging it out of everywhere it chooses to volunteer throughout my yard and garden. While the little yellow blooms are attractive, it's way of spreading underground and sending up new shoots that develop into plants makes it most unwelcome for my tastes. |
Negative | On Apr 12, 2005, Legit from Porterfield, WI (Zone 4b) wrote: I am sorry to have to leave a negative as well, this plant is very attractive in foliage, and the pretty yellow flowers make you leave it a little longer. Well, needless to say, It WILL get away from you, now I am considering roundup on the whole bed and removing the valuable plants it has not choked YET. Legit |
Negative | On Aug 5, 2004, xyris from Sebring, FL (Zone 9b) wrote: This is also a common weed in the Pacific Northwest, where it spreads through large areas of our wet lawn in winter, and creeps both under and over edging into garden beds. One has to be vigilant to dig it up early before more underground runners develop! |
Negative | On Aug 5, 2004, henryr10 from Cincinnati, OH (Zone 6b) wrote: First off let me say; |
Positive | On May 17, 2002, micky_IN wrote: I bought 2 plants in 3" pots last year and I now have about 10' of Ranunculus. It is invasive, it will grow where it wants to, when it wants to. I have tried to keep it under "control" however it seems, if I'm not at it everyday it keeps on spreading. On the good (great) side of it all, it will grow in shade, partial shade and full sun. I know because I have it in all of those conditions. The ones in full sun are about 18" now and are blooming all over. The transplanted ones are doing great but not blooming yet. I have no idea what kind of soil I have, just plain ole yard dirt I guess but, they seem to love it. The leafs are a varigated yellow/lime green right now and will get greener as time goes by. I love my Ranunculus and would recommend it to anyone wanting something that will spread ... read more |