I have lots of Ranunculus ficaria - too much, actually. I had purchased Ranunculus ficaria Brazen Hussy 5-10 years ago - I still like the contrast of the near-black leaves and the bright yellow flowers. I had heard that this cultivar didn't spread as annoyingly as the straight species. But I soon learned that it either reverts to type or reseeds avidly, so I now have ranunculus scattered throughout my yard, some with normal green foliage but many with the dark foliage of Brazen Hussy. But yesterday while doing spring garden clean up, I noticed lots of variations of the ranunculus flowers. I have a couple plants which feature fully double flowers. Also some with variegated flowers - sometimes different flower colors on the same plant. I know there are double flowered R. ficaria offered for sale, so it's nothing really new. But I was wondering if seed from the double flowering plants will yield babies with double flowers? Or should these plants be divided to preserve the double flowers. The other 'variegated' flowers - is that due to a virus? If I divide those plants, will the variegation be retained?
The first picture is of a typical R. ficaria Brazen Hussy in bloom.
The next few are the variegated flowers, including a picture showing the same plant with different colored flowers.
The final few are the double flowers.
It isn't a plant I am familiar with, but I am guessing you are just going to have to try it all ways mentioned. It looks like the plant has a diverse gene pool so that you can get something interesting as you already have.
It would be awesome if you can get that second flower with green spots to stick.
