The Ranunculus genus is a large genus with hundreds of species of flowering plants. R. asiaticus, commonly called buttercups or Persian buttercups, is the species most often grown in home gardens and is treated as an annual or a perennial, depending on growing climate. Buttercups have a lush, bushy habit of finely cut leaves and bloom in late spring to early summer in bowl-shaped flowers on long stalks. Borne singly or in clusters, the heavily petaled, peony-like blooms have a shiny, crepe-paper appearance and come in hues of yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, cream, or white. The flowers are long lasting in garden or vase, and the plants are deer resistant.
