Ranunculus asiaticus Romance Odon® - Persian buttercup

Ranunculus asiaticus Romance™ Odon® is a vibrant and refined florists' ranunculus whose large red flowers with a frizzy heart tipped with bronze green are superb in cut flower arrangements. This variety is also distinguished by a particular arrangement of flowers: the main flower sits slightly lower than the lateral buds, which are also well developed. Choose it for its romantic and theatrical presence.

This variety belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. The species Ranunculus asiaticus, called Asian ranunculus, florists' ranunculus or garden ranunculus, is a tuberous perennial with summer dormancy. It is widespread from the southern Aegean to western and southwestern Iran, in a vast area subject to a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and dry summers.

Romance™ Odon® is a cultivar intended for cut flowers obtained by the Japanese breeder Aya Engei. The Romance™ series consists of ranunculus selected for their very large double flowers, good substance and long stems suitable for cut flower arrangements. Odon® forms a clump of basal leaves that are deeply cut, bright green, flexible but quite thick. The foliage dries after flowering, when the plant goes into dormancy. In flower, in the garden, this ranunculus most often reaches 40 to 60 cm in height, with a spread of 20 to 25 cm, depending on growing conditions. The flower stems are long, firm and very straight. The tuberous roots shaped like small claws serve as storage organs, and they dislike stagnant humidity as much as frost. Flowering takes place in spring, mainly from March to May, earlier in mild climates or under cover. The flowers are very double, composed of many fine, tightly packed petals, with an almost crumpled texture. Their diameter is around 7 to 9 cm.
By lifting the tubers in autumn, before the frosts, this plant can be grown like a gladiolus.

In the garden, Romance™ Odon® stands out in a spring border. It also finds a place in a corner of the vegetable garden reserved for cut flowers. Its large red flowers have a strong personality, much appreciated in large cut flower arrangements at home. In a vase, love-in-a-mist 'Albion Green Pod' brings welcome lightness, with its delicate flowers and then its beautiful green capsules. Bupleurum rotundifolium 'Green Gold', light green, supple and luminous, is perfect for lightening the display. Vviridiflora tulip 'Blushing Artist' offers soft shades of pink.