Create Your Garden

Ranunculus aconitifolius (Fair Maids of France)

Fair Maids of France, Aconite Buttercup, Aconite-Leaved Buttercup, Mountain Crowfoot, Fair Maids of Kent

Ranunculus aconitifolius, Fair Maids of France, Aconite Buttercup, Aconite-Leaved Buttercup, Mountain Crowfoot, Fair Maids of Kent, White Flowers
Ranunculus aconitifolius, Fair Maids of France, Aconite Buttercup, Aconite-Leaved Buttercup, Mountain Crowfoot, Fair Maids of Kent, White Flowers

Ranunculus aconitifolius (Fair Maids of France) is a clump-forming perennial boasting masses of loose sprays of single, saucer-shaped, white buttercups, each with a golden yellow button center. Blooming in late spring to early summer, they are borne on tall, upright, branching stems and contrast with the foliage of dark, glossy green, finely divided leaves. Native to central Europe, this Ranunculus usually grows as an ephemeral spring plant and goes into dormancy when summer’s heat arrives. A vigorous grower, it sometimes forms large colonies in moist places in mountains, meadows, edges of ditches, and streams. It will easily spread among other plants, and make a cheerful groundcover.

  • Grows up to 24-36 in. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade in humus-rich, fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Will tolerate wet conditions.
  • Great candidate for beds and borders, cottage gardens, prairies and meadows, and wildflower gardens. Great for growing in bog gardens and near ponds and streams.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew.
  • Propagate by seed or division.
  • All parts are poisonous if ingested. Sap may irritate the skin.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to central Europe to Central Spain and Croatia.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Ranunculus
Common names Ranunculus, Mountain Crowfoot, Buttercup
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Ranunculus (Buttercup) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Ranunculus lyallii (Mount Cook Buttercup)
Ranunculus gramineus (Grass-Leaved Buttercup)
Ranunculus asiaticus ‘Tecolote Sunset’ (Persian Buttercup)
Ranunculus asiaticus ‘Tecolote Café’ (Persian Buttercup)
Ranunculus californicus (California Buttercup)
Ranunculus flammula (Lesser Spearwort)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Top 50 Most Beautiful Flowers Worldwide
Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
26 Terrific Summer Bulbs to Grow in your Garden or Pots
Popular Flower Bulbs For Your Garden and Pots
Ranunculus asiaticus (Persian Buttercup)
Ranunculus: How To Plant, Care and Grow Terrific Flowers
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Ranunculus
Common names Ranunculus, Mountain Crowfoot, Buttercup
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Ranunculus (Buttercup) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Ranunculus aconitifolius (Fair Maids of France) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Ranunculus aconitifolius (Fair Maids of France) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone