With so many existing flowers, it isn’t rare for someone to mix things up—can’t say we haven’t been there before! What’s even more confusing is placing a ranunculus and peonies in the same room.
It’s much harder to tell the difference because of their similarities in bulb-like structure, color, and blooming season. Well, the key lies in looking at their bloom size and petal shape. When a Ranunculus blooms, it has a smaller size, flatter petal shapes, and multiple layers.
In this guide, we’ll talk about Ranunculus vs Peonies and point out more about their distinct features. So stick around to find out which flower suits you best.
How to Tell a Ranunculus and Peony Apart
Spotting the difference between two similar flowers can be challenging if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Fortunately, each flower has a key characteristic solely of its own.
Ranunculus vs Peonies: At a Glance
The first way you can differentiate a Ranunculus from a Peony is by looking at their size and color. At a glance, they may be confusing, so let’s get down to the basics.
A Ranunculus height can reach about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm), giving off an elegant-looking stem by how tall it is. Its blooming size can spread 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) in width too.
Peonies are large in comparison. Depending on the type of Peony, it can grow about 22 to 34 inches (56 to 86 cm) tall and bloom 3 to 36 inches (8 to 91 cm) wide.
The Ranunculus has a variety of colors, ranging from baby pink, pale yellow, creamy white, purple, orange, and an occasional mix of white. Meanwhile, Peonies can be sunset orange, pale pink, crimson red, white, and canary yellow.
Also Check: How to Grow Ranunculus From Seed (Plus Tips)
Ranunculus vs Peonies: The Key Difference
The key difference between a Ranunculus and a Peony is their bloom size and shape. Compared to the Peonies, you can differentiate a Ranunculus by its flatter shape and smaller size.
In terms of appearance, the petals of a Ranunculus consist of many papery layers akin to origami—no wonder it’s considered a multi-layered petal.
What’s surprising is despite having so many layers, the Ranunculus petals remain clearly defined.
So, in summary, a Ranunculus has more layers of petals (100 to 130 petals) and is smaller in bloom size compared to a bigger, double-layered Peony.
Ranunculus vs Peonies: Understanding Their Species
Ranunculus asiaticus is the botanical name of Ranunculus, more commonly known as buttercups. Originating from Central Asia, this gentle flower belongs to the Ranunculaceae family with 2,252 species.
What’s more, its Latin name translates to “little frog” because it commonly grows along streams or in wet environments.
On the flip side, Peonies belong to the Paeoniaceae family, with about 33 species. They originated in China and later on spread to Japan, which became the major producer of Peonies.
You’ll find three types of this flowering plant: tree Peonies, herbaceous Peonies, and Itoh Peonies. Meanwhile, its flower forms are single, Japanese, anemone, semi-double, full-double, and bombs.
Ranunculus vs Peonies: Blooming Season
Buttercups grow annually and perennially, meaning, they have long blooming seasons that can last for multiple growing seasons.
Meanwhile, Peonies are tough perennial growers, blooming every springtime. They like thriving in the sunny season and enjoy bathing in direct sunlight.
Ranunculus vs Peonies: The Cost per Stem and Seeds
Both bouquets of Ranunculus and Peonies lean towards the expensive side and are quite popular on special occasions. The price of these flowers will depend on the time of year.
For Peonies, the cost per stem can generally range from $3 to $6 during peak season. In off-seasons, the average is about $12 to $15. Expect a bouquet to reach $75 if you’re planning to buy it as a gift or for your wedding.
Ranunculus can also vary in price depending on the color, season, and size. However, you can find the common price ranging from $3 to $9 per stem and a bouquet to be around $38.
If you’re looking to plant these attractive and elegant flowers, you can buy either flower seed for $2.
About the Ranunculus: a Summary
They say the rarer the flower, the more expensive it is. With the Ranunculus brilliant colors, elegant stem, and citrus fragrance akin to a rose, it’s no wonder each stem costs $3.
You’ve probably seen one of these during a special occasion, but knew the Ranunculus by a different name. It’s also probable to have mistaken these flowers for Peonies, and we get it. They really look alike!
So for clarity, the popular name for Ranunculus is buttercups. It’s a crowd favorite because of its distinct features.
Additionally, charm, attractiveness, and having a special crush on someone are what the Ranunculus is all about. Its colors vary from pink, red, orange, yellow, and purple. Sometimes its leaves feature a splash of white too.
Its height can grow about 12 to 18 inches, blooming for 8 to 12 inches in width. What’s more, this romantic flower has an interesting Native American legend.
With so many species of this flowering plant, it can often look like a rose or a poppy. Fortunately, we’ve already determined its key characteristics to recognize a Ranunculus from a distance.
About the Peonies: a Summary
With a reputation of living for 100 years, Peonies are popular for their ruffled petals and beautiful color combinations. They cost more than buttercups and are a common choice for weddings and other special occasions.
There are three types of Peonies, with six flower forms—an array of choices you can pick from! These tough perennial growers can withstand harsh conditions despite looking fragile and delicate.
Not only are they beautifully strong, but they also symbolize love, honor, prosperity, compassion, and wealth. Now we know why Peonies are a popular choice for weddings!
Depending on the type of Peony, it can grow about 22 to 34 inches tall, with a width of 3 to 36 inches wide. The colors can range from orange, white, red, pink, and yellow.
So, if you’re looking for a strong, ruffled-looking flower that’ll remain delicate and beautiful, Peonies are an ideal choice.
Users Also Read: How to Dry Ranunculus: Best Ways and Care Tips
Choosing Between Ranunculus and Peonies
If you can’t decide whether you want a Ranunculus or a peony, why not put a list of things to consider?
Below, we’ve provided two important factors that’ll help you choose which flower would suit your preference best.
What’s the Occasion?
Being the symbol of charm and attractiveness, a bouquet of Ranunculus is the perfect gift for Valentine’s day. It’s a way of letting someone know you find them attractive and that you want to get to know them better.
Meanwhile, Peonies are always on the list of wedding flowers. However, you can use Peonies as a congratulatory gift instead, or to let someone know that you’re wishing them well.
The Perfect Time to Buy
Peonies are perennial flowers, so you’ll likely find them available during springtime. However, peak season also means that they’ll cost more than the average. Good news is, their prices become relatively low once the blooming season finishes.
Meanwhile, Ranunculus comes in full bloom in late winter to early spring. You’ll find them at a more affordable cost compared to Peonies.
Wrapping Up
Ranunculus vs Peonies, which is the better flower? The answer depends on your style and what the occasion is.
Both flowers are similar in many ways, but each has its distinct feature that makes it special. To spot the difference, try inspecting their blooming shape and size.
With how similar they are in appearance, you can never go wrong if you use Ranunculus as an alternative for Peonies and vice versa.