Ranunculus asiaticus Picotée Café au lait - Persian Buttercup

The Café au Lait Picotee Ranunculus is a variety of garden ranunculus, or florist ranunculus, that stands out from the rest; its double flowers blend different shades of gold, coffee, copper, and burnt orange on their petals. In a bouquet, its round flower and rich colour will work wonders. It can be planted in flower beds and borders as well as in pots where it will make a big impact. In mild climates, you can leave it in the ground and it will flower every year.

The Ranunculus asiaticus belongs to the buttercup family and is native to Asia and northeast Africa. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a tuber shaped like small claws. This root is very durable and consists of several small elongated tubers, grouped together in a vascular bundle, which are sometimes called "claws." In colder regions, don't hesitate to store the tubers, similar to gladioli, to ensure you can enjoy them the following year. Not very hardy, it can withstand temperatures down to -7°C (19.4°F) at its lowest point. This ranunculus requires almost dry soil in winter. It has given rise to numerous cultivars with a wide range of colours, from pure white to various shades of pink, orange, red, and brown.

The foliage of the florist ranunculus emerges in spring. Its basal leaves form a rosette and measure 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) long. They are pale green to dark green and divided into three deep lobes. At maturity, this Asian ranunculus can reach a height of 40 cm (16in) when flowering, from which long flowering stems emerge, reaching 40 cm (16in) in height. 'Café au Lait Picotee' is a spring-flowering variety that is often grown under cover, in floristry, to speed up the production of its magnificent corollas. In May-June, each bulb produces up to 10 large, fully rounded flowers. These flowers measure 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter. At the top of each stem, a flower with tightly packed petals unfolds, forming a shimmering ball. The colour palette ranges from yellow to coffee brown, including all shades of orange.

The Asian ranunculus can be grown in flower beds, borders, rock gardens, and even in pots on a terrace. It is a highly ornamental plant that is also used in bouquets for its excellent vase life. It can be combined in floral arrangements with antique roses that match its colors so well, or even with modern roses with perfect forms in shades ranging from red to garnet, and all shades of yellow and orange.