Hardy Plant Society

Ranunculaceae Group

Who are we?

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.

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.

In 2013, we will be meeting on 22nd June at Roxwell Memorial Hall, The Street, Roxwell, Essex, CM1 4PA (map)

Following registration and coffee at 10.00am there will be a short AGM followed by a talk from Kevin Hughes on “Thalictrum and other members of the Ranunculaceae family”

During the afternoon we will be visiting two gardens

• Sheila Chapman (RHS Gold-Medal willing exhibitor of Clematis), has a compact garden beautifully trained with clematis, roses and other summer perennials
• ‘Dragons’, belonging to member Margot Grice, is a plantswoman’s garden featuring sumptuous colour-themed borders.

The day includes members’ plant sales and a raffle. Kevin will have plants for sale. Plants can also be preordered through Kevin Hughes Plants at Heale Plant Centre.

Refreshments at the hall and tea/coffee/cakes at ‘Dragons’.

Cost for the day will be: Ranunculaceae Group Members £15.00, Non-Group Members £17.00

A booking form is available here.

Please note that this event is only open to HPS members and that Ranunculaceae Group members will have priority booking until May 18th

Membership

All members of the Hardy Plant Society are eligible to join the Group. Annual subscription rates are:
UK members: £4 Single or £6 Joint (two members at one address)
Overseas members: £5 Single or £7 Joint
If you are interested in joining us please contact the Membership Secretary:
     Sue Ward
     53 Ladywood, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 4RW
     Telephone: 023 8061 5389
     email: sueatladywood@btinternet.com