Ranunculus ficaria ‘Brazen Hussy’

For Winter Open House visitors to the garden, this is certainly the most talked-about plant we grow. This deer-resistant spring ephemeral emerges in February with rounded, glossy black foliage in a 6″ wide rosette that hugs the ground. From late February through late March (in NC), the clumps are topped with brilliant yellow, 1″ flowers held on 3″ stalks just above the foliage. The stark contrast between the foliage and flowers is well expressed in the name given by its introducer, the late Christopher Lloyd. Ranunculus ‘Brazen Hussy’ goes dormant by May, so be sure to mark your clumps for next spring. Unlike the species Ranunculus ficaria, the cultivars are not weedy, although I’d still not plant them near important natural areas.