RANUNCULUS FICARIA

Description

One of our earliest spring flowers, just after the snowdrops, it can appear as early as the latter part of February where it makes carpets of golden stars on the banks of streams and rivers, or else in the more shaded areas under hedgerows. Contrary to popular belief it was the Lesser Celandine rather than the Daffodil which is said to have been William Wordsworth’s favourite flower. He wrote three poems to the little flower with the “glittering countenance”, noting the plant’s habit of opening and shutting its petals according to the weather: “There is a Flower, the Lesser Celandine, That shrinks, like many more, from cold and rain; And, at the first moment that the sun may shine, Bright as the sun itself, ‘tis out again!”

Sowing Advice

Sow seeds IMMEDIATELY you receive them, at any time of the year, they depend on having several months in cold, damp compost, (NOT DRY IN A FRIDGE) before they will germinate. Keep the seed tray moist in a cold greenhouse or shady corner. These fresh seeds can be very slow to germinate. Do not use any artificial heat in an attempt to germinate them as it may cause them to enter even deeper dormancy.

Key Facts