Ranunculaceae

The Ranunculaceae Group, one of the newest 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 and an Annual Meeting. It now 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 widely grown in our mixed or herbaceous borders, such as 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 members such as Asteropyrum, Isopyrum, Oxygraphis, Semiaquilegia, and Paraquilegia, and there is even a woody shrub, Xanthorhiza, 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 Meeting and Study 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 form the main focus.

Why not consider joining our group and enjoy reduced fees when attending our study Days? 
Current rates and application forms are available under ‘Further Information’ below.

Membership

If you are already a member of the HPS and these snippets of information give you food for thought and you would like to join our enthusiastic group, please click on this form (ranunc-membership-form-2023) to download an application form.

Annual subscription rates run from 1st January to 31st December each year.

• UK Membership for one year – 1st Jan 2023 – 31st Dec 2023
  • Single: £6.00
  • Joint: Two people at one address £8.00
• UK Membership for three years – 1st Jan 2023 – 31st Dec 2025
  • £16.00 single
  • £22.00 joint
• Overseas Membership for one year 1st Jan 2023 – 31st Dec 2023
  • Electronic Newsletter £4.00
  • Printed Newsletter £15.00

To join the group please complete the downloadable application form above. There is a choice of payment by cheque, or electronic transfer.