Ranunculus ficaria ‘Collarette’ – A beautiful flower and foliage combination with green heart-shaped leaves (overlaid in silver with black central veining) and unique double yellow blooms with green centers as they open and a dainty collar of petals. This species tolerates sun in coastal BC or part sun in interior gardens. Grows to 4″ high by 12″+ wide. Hardy to zone 4.
Ranunculus ficaria ‘Brazen Hussy’ – This herbaceous perennial was introduced by Christopher Lloyd and features 1″ wide bright yellow buttercup-like flowers that literally gleam amidst the dense foliage of glossy, purplish-black heart-shaped leaves. These are rather ephemeral plants and usually go summer dormant. Grows 4″ high by 12″+ wide. Hardy to zone 4.
Ranunculus ficaria ‘Primrose’ – This cultivar of Lesser Celandine has just ordinary green heart-shaped foliage but the blooms are a lovely pale yellow (with a purplish-green reverse) that are larger than most Ranunculus ficaria. It is a great choice to plant around Hosta in part sun as they bloom first and go summer dormant as the Hosta hits prime form. Grows 4″ high by 12″+ wide. Z4.
Ranunculus ficaria ‘Coppernob’ – The leaves of this cultivar are very similar to ‘Brazen Hussy’ (it is actually a cross of ‘Brazen Hussy’ and ‘Aurantiacus’ or var. aurantiacus), being a glossy purplish-brown. The main difference is the clear orange blooms which can bleach (petals turn white) in full sun or as they fade, although the center remains orange. Grows 4″ high. Zone 4.
Ranunculus ficaria ‘Flore Pleno’ – A tuberous perennial often used as an ephemeral groundcover in part shade exposures with moist soils. It bears double yellow lowers (with greenish centers as they open) from April to May. The glossy green leaves resemble Marsh Marigold and form a dense mat. It is not as invasive as the species. Grows 4″ high by 12″+ wide. Zone 4.
Mike's Garden Top 5 Plants 