Description of Ranunculus acris (Meadow Buttercup)

Ranunculus acris is meadow buttercup, sometimes sold as batchelor buttons in older mixes. It’s a UK native that likes grassland and damp meadows. It can work around bog gardens where you want a natural look and summer yellow flowers.

Appearance

It forms clumps of divided leaves and produces glossy yellow buttercup flowers on upright stems. Height is often 60 to 90cm. It can self-seed, especially in open ground.

Care Guide

It suits moist soil but not constant saturation. Think damp meadow edge rather than pond shelf.

• Sun: Full sun to light shade.
• Soil: Moist soil. It also copes in average garden soil if not too dry.
• Water: Water in dry spells on light soils.
• Management: Deadhead if you want fewer seedlings, or leave for a meadow feel.
• Cut back: After flowering, cut stems down if it looks untidy.

In a planted bog bed, it can look out of place. It works better in nearby meadow-style areas or on the higher, drier edge.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens when you have a transition zone into meadow planting. It adds easy summer colour and supports insects. It also looks right among sedges and rushes on damp ground.

Keep it out of the wettest centre so it doesn’t flop or rot at the base.

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