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Close-up of the showy yellow flowers of western buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Green foliage of western buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Yellow-flowering western buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis) in the habitat garden. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A flat of 4" pots of yellow-flowering western buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Flowering form of western buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis) in a habitat garden. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Flowering form of western buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis) in a Portland meadowscape. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Western Buttercup

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Ranunculus occidentalis

Western buttercup is a perky little gem that is exceptionally versatile and attractive in a landscape setting. Its shiny, yellow, five-petaled flowers are an excellent source of early season pollen for native sweat bees, mining bees, mason bees, bumblebees and hoverflies. 

  • Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous, perennial, herbaceous plant
  • Size at maturity: 0-18” tall, 0-12" wide
  • Light requirements: full sun to part shade
  • Moisture requirements: dry to wet soil
  • Bloom time: March - August (April - May in the Portland Metro area)
  • Growth rate/ease: fast growing, easy to grow
  • Wildlife support: flowers are a nectar source for adult butterflies, bees and other insect pollinators
  • Native habitat/range: common in wet meadows, coastal bluffs, disturbed soils, and open woodlands, at low elevations, across western Washington, Oregon, and northwestern California. Portland Plant List - yes.
  • Special features & uses: groundcover; landscape uses include rock gardens, pollinator gardens, meadowscapes and edges of a woodland garden

 Gardening with Western Buttercup: This cheerful perennial grows fabulously in a range of light and moisture conditions, though its ultimate preference is moist well-drained soil in partially shaded areas. Intermix many plants into your meadowscapes and pollinator gardens or to brighten up the margins of a woodland garden and other native beds. Blooms in sync with camas creating impressive swaths of purple and yellow.    

Photo Credits 1, 3, 6 (flowers, plant close-ups, meadowscape): Nikkie West, Sparrowhawk Native Plants

Photo Credit 2 (foliage): © Lindsey K. Wise, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 4 (flat for sale): Hoddick Photography

Photo Credit 5 (flowering in a habitat garden): Karli Del Biondo, Beetles and Bees

Photo Credit 4 (flowering in a habitat garden): Karli Del Biondo, Beetles and Bees