Ranunculus

Origin

Ranunculus flowers come from a flower called Ranunculus Asiaticus, also known as Persian buttercup, sometimes turban buttercup or rose of spring.

These lovely flowers come from a small wildflower found in the eastern Mediterranean region, from Cyprus through Turkey to Iran.

The original flower grows close to the ground, with five red or yellow petals and a black centre.

People in Europe have grown Ranunculus flowers for many years, especially during Victorian times. In the last century, breeders from Italy, France, Israel, and America made new types of Ranunculus by mixing different kinds.

People like them because they have lots of colours, curly stems, and big, beautiful flowers that always bloom well.

Characteristics

Ranunculus plants grow to be 30 to 60 centimetres tall. They have one or more cupped flowers on fuzzy stems above leaves that are cut into small pieces.

The flowers have black parts in the middle and come in many bright and pastel colours like white, yellow, apricot, orange, pink, red, fuchsia, burgundy, and bicolor.

The flowers can look like poppies with one layer, or they can have many layers of thin petals like peonies or roses.

Some kinds of Ranunculus have up to 100 to 130 petals and can be 5 to 12 centimetres wide.

Care

Ranunculus are usually delivered when the flowers on the stem are still buds. They will open up fully within 24 to 36 hours.

To take care of them, cut a bit off the bottom of each stem at an angle with clean scissors or a knife. Put them in a clean vase with water and keep them in a cool place away from the sun and wind. Change the water in the vase every two or three days.

Blooming Time

Ranunculus flowers last a long time when they are in a vase, sometimes more than 10 days. They can keep blooming for a week or more.