Ranunculus montanus

Perennial of the Ranunculaceae family, widely spread in the mountains of Central and Southern Europe, from the Alps to the Carpathians and the Balkans. It occupies alpine and subalpine lawns, fresh meadows and grassy slopes, generally between 1,200 and 2,800 meters, on varied substrates, calcareous or siliceous.

It forms low and dense clumps of 10 to 25 cm, with upright stems bearing few cauline leaves. The basal leaves are palmatilobed, with crenate lobes, medium to dark green, slightly pubescent. The foliage remains modest and never overshadows the flowers.

These are bright and shiny yellow, characteristic of buttercups, with five broad and well-overlapping petals forming a generous cup. They are relatively large compared to the size of the plant, giving it a particularly generous and dense flowering appearance at full bloom.

In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from June to August depending on the altitude. In cultivation, it blooms from May to June.

It requires well-drained soil, fresh without excess winter moisture, in a sunny to semi-shaded position. A reliable and undemanding rock garden plant, it readily naturalizes in mountain gardens.