Appearance

Growth form

This tuberous-rooted perennial grows about 1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m) tall, but it is often treated as an annual.

Leaves

The green leaves are deeply lobed and finely divided.

Flowers

Garden forms usually have semi-double or fully double flowers in white, yellow, orange, pink, red, and other shades. In North Carolina gardens, they bloom from late spring into early summer.

Fruit

The fruit head is made of many small, dry achenes.

Look-alikes

Poppy AnemoneAnemone coronaria

Common single Poppy Anemones have a few broad petals around a conspicuous dark center. Common double Persian Buttercups have many tightly layered petals and a rounder, rose-like bloom.

Why they get mixed up · Both are colorful, tuberous ornamentals in the buttercup family.

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• flower beds
• containers
• cut-flower gardens

Range

It is not native to the United States. It is grown as an ornamental, especially where spring weather is cool.

Preferred conditions

It grows best in full sun and moist but sharply drained soil. Heavy, wet soil can lead to root rot. In USDA zones 8–10, it can grow outdoors with careful drainage; colder areas often grow it as a spring annual or in containers.

Growing it

Propagation

Plants can be raised from seed or divided at the tuberous roots.

Toxicity

Eating the plant can irritate the mouth and stomach, and the sap can irritate skin. It is also a concern for cats, dogs, and horses.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms

Most florist and garden plants are cultivars or hybrids rather than the single-flowered wild form. Their flowers may be single, semi-double, or fully double.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories

• Its long stems make it a popular cut flower.