Ranunculaceae

The Ranunculaceae Group, one of the newer Interest Groups in the Hardy Plant Society, was formed in 2007. Its aims are to inform, educate and enthuse about numerous ranunculids, by means of two Newsletters a year, an Annual Meeting and Zoom talks. It has just over 100 members from the UK, Europe and the USA, and has as its patrons renowned plantsmen Bleddyn Wynn-Jones and Dan Hinkley.

The botanical buttercup family Ranunculaceae, perhaps one of the most familiar and well-loved of all the plant families, derives its name from the Latin rana, a frog, because many of its members thrive in damp places. There are about 60 genera and 2500 species, more than enough to retain the interest of the members of the Ranunculaceae Group for many years! Many species and cultivars of this large family of plants are grown widely in our mixed or herbaceous borders. The main genera of garden plants are: actaea; aconitum; adonis; aquilegia; anemone; beesia; caltha; clematis; delphinium; eranthis; hepatica; helleborus; pulsatilla; ranunculus; thalictrum and trollius. The family also includes other less well-known genera such as asteropyrum; isopyrum; oxygraphis; semiaquilegia; and paraquilegia. There is even a woody shrub, Xanthorhiza simplicissima, from North America, which is usually placed within the buttercup family.

Activities

Newsletter

This is produced twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, and includes members’ articles and notes on a wide variety of ranunculaceae species and cultivars. It is hoped that as many members as possible will contribute so that it can become a forum for discussion on topics of interest, such as tips on cultivation, members’ favourite ranunculids, in-depth accounts of a particular genus and plant hunting in remote places.

Annual Lecture Day

Our annual get-together features guest speakers, garden visits and of course the chance to buy plants from specialist nurseries and a members’ sales table. We plan to visit a different venue each year so that as many members as possible have a chance to attend and to vary the date so that different groups of plants can be seen in season.

The AGM is usually held on the same day as the Lecture Day.

Zoom Talks

We hold 2-3 very popular Zoom talks every year in the winter, which are free and exclusively for members of the group. This is a great opportunity for members who find travel distances excessive, especially our overseas members, to join in a virtual get together and listen to talks from around the world. We normally have 50-60 members joining our Zooms. We have had interesting Zoom talks from Deborah Hardwick ‘Clematis – myths and truths’; Peter Williams – “Ranunculaceae – A Treasure Trove of Garden Plants”; Colin Ward -‘Ranunculaceae for a Shady Place’; Richard Hodson ‘The Viorna. Group of Clematis’; Carrie Thomas – ‘All Things Aquilegia’; Mike Byford – ‘All Things Hellebore’; Timothy Walker – ‘The Thoughts of a Botanical Gardener on the Ranunculaceae’. Dan Hinkley – ‘ A Few Favourite Collections in the Ranunculaceae.’ We are always looking for speakers, especially from overseas, to give our Zoom talks. For details please see our upcoming events below.

Membership

At the AGM 2025, the rising costs of producing and posting paper copies of the newsletters were discussed (having been circulated previously to members). A resolution to increase subscriptions from 1^st January 2026 for those wishing to receive paper copies was passed and the new rates from that date are as follows;

UK Membership – Digital Newsletters – £6 single, £8 joint (Two people at one address)

UK Membership – Printed Newsletters – £10 single, £12 joint (Two people at one address)

Overseas Membership – Digital Newsletters – £6, Printed Newsletters £15

Buy your membership in the online Shop or use the membership form below.

Zoom Talks

Zoom talks are free to members of the Ranunculaceae Group. It is worth joining the Group to get these talks given by world renowned specialists in their fields. The Zoom talks open at 7 pm and the talks start at 7:30 pm. Details of the Zoom talks are emailed to members.