Ode to the Ranunculus

You can’t easily get bored of ranunculus. Alongside the gorgeous ‘ordinary’ ranunculus, there are also unusual varieties such as Butterfly and Pon-Pon. What makes these ranunculus varieties so unique? Let the growers explain.

“The Butterfly is a playful ranunculus with some 7 to 12 flowers per stem. When you walk into the greenhouse in the spring, you see a vast sea of flowers,” explains Ron van Adrichem of Monarch Flowers, who grows various ranunculus varieties. “The Butterfly’s flowers have a layer of wax which makes them shine beautifully. The extravagant foliage lends a wild character to this ranunculus. They’re fabulous as a loose bunch or in a field bouquet.”

“Pon-Pon is an unusual sight,” explains seasonal flower grower Rijk de Jongh. “There’s colour between the petals; the underside tends towards green. We harvest the Pon-Pons when they look their best. So just before we start harvesting there’s lots of colour in the greenhouse. Personally I find the green and white Pon-Pon very beautiful, but the mauve and purple variety is also fabulous.”