Ranunculus asiaticus Poodle Chaouen II® - Persian Buttercup

Ranunculus asiaticus Poodle Chaouen II® is a florists' ranunculus which is remarkable for its large, very double, fringed flowers in an intense red. Its corollas are truly different from classic ranunculus. This variety shines in spring borders and, above all, provides excellent cut flowers, long-lasting in a vase, luminous and highly decorative.

This variety belongs to the species Ranunculus asiaticus, a tuberous perennial in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), often grown as an annual or as a short-lived plant depending on the climate. The wild species is known by the names Persian buttercup, florists' ranunculus, garden ranunculus and Oriental ranunculus. In the wild, it is native to the eastern Mediterranean, widespread from the southern Aegean Sea, including Crete and Cyprus, to western and south-western Iran. It can be found in sunny spots, on ground that is damp in spring and drier in summer. It grows from a fleshy claw and flowers before entering dormancy when the heat sets in. It is not very hardy, only tolerating brief frosts of around -4/-5°C in very well-drained soil.

Poodle Chaouen II® belongs to the Poodle series, developed by the Japanese breeder Aya Engei. This series brings together ranunculus with intricate flowers, recognisable by their narrow, crumpled, heavily fringed petals and their long, sturdy stems, good for cutting. Poodle Chaouen II® received a 2nd prize at the Royal FloraHolland Glazen Tulp Award 2023 for the Poodle range. In the garden, the plant forms an upright clump, fairly compact at the base, 30 to 45cm tall and about 20 to 30cm wide, while its flower stems reach 50-55cm long. The flower buds are green and rounded. They open into very double flowers, first globose, then opening into thick, crumpled, 8 to 12 cm diameter cups. The many petals are narrow, tightly packed, irregularly wavy and finely crinkled, giving the corolla a waffled, creped, baroque appearance. The colour is a bright red to deep scarlet red, with darker bronze shades on the more mature flowers. The black heart, visible on the most fully open corollas, remains partly hidden by the petals. In the garden, in an average climate, flowering takes place in April-May. 

Plant the Persian buttercup in borders, edging and even in pots on a terrace. The variety Poodle Chaouen II deserves a prominent spot, as its flower is extraordinary. Always plant it in light, fertile, well-drained soil. In clayey ground, it is best grown in a container or on a mound. It can be paired in the garden and flower arrangements with the very green tulip ‘Evergreen’, Triumph tulip ‘White Proud’ in pure white, Triumph tulip ‘Shiun’, edged with magenta pink, and ornamental onion ‘Purple Sensation’, which offers violet balls on tall stems.