Ranunculus flammula - Lesser Spearwort

The Ranunculus flammula or Lesser Spearwort is a valuable species around ponds or on banks due to its wild appearance and its long golden-yellow flowering. Very hardy, very floriferous and not invasive, it is an excellent plant in shallow water areas, with oxygenating properties, appreciated by wildlife. Its small size makes it suitable for small ponds, and its beautiful wild look allows you to create natural scenes by the water's edge or in the water. It thrives in sunny or partially shaded positions in moist soil and self-seeds easily.

The Ranunculus flammula, also known as Lesser Spearwort, belongs to the Buttercup family, just like our famous buttercup. It is native to Europe. It is found in cool and humid places such as riverbanks. It is a small perennial plant with evergreen foliage. It forms a 30 cm (12in) tall clump when in flower and spreads at least 20 cm (8in) on the ground. Its leaves are lanceolate and narrow, dark green in colour. Its flowering period is from June to September depending on the climate. Clumps of foliage emerge from reddish stems bearing cup-shaped flowers, solitary or clustered in panicles, measuring 1 to 2 cm (0 to 1in), in golden-yellow colour, similar to buttercups.

Very easy to grow in moist soil, the Lesser Spearwort has good hardiness (-20°C). It prefers waterlogged soils, even marshy ones. As a pond plant, immerse it between 0 and -20 cm (0 and -8in) deep. It is also a good perennial for damp banks, even in partial shade, next to the Rodgersia pinnata Chocolate Wings, or the Actaea simplex Brunette, with purple foliage. Also consider pairing it with Acorus and Tradescantias.