Buttercups in a Friendship Garden

Buttercups are yellow flowers, that are part of the Ranunculus family. There are dozens of species of buttercups. Some are cultivated garden plants, but most are weeds. Many buttercups grow wild on roadsides, meadows, parks and lawns. The petals of many species of buttercups curve slightly upward to form a subtle cup or bowl shape and their shape and yellow color account for their name.
Some gardening experts note that the appearance of wild buttercups in the garden means that the soil is likely to contain clay. Having good drainage in the garden may help prevent the growth of buttercups. They often prefer a damp clay soil. Buttercups are hearty plants and unless all of the roots are removed they tend to grow back.
Buttercups were used as a source of yellow and red dyes by some Native American tribes such as the Pottawatomie and the Ojibwa to color dried grasses used to make baskets. They were also used in salves in folk medicine to remove warts. The sap, thorns and juice of buttercups used directly can cause blisters in the mouth and on the skin. Buttercups are poisonous if eaten and they have a very acrid taste that allows animals to leave them alone. Many people remember the childhood game of holding a buttercup or dandelion under their chin. If the yellow color was reflected on the chin that meant the person liked butter. Some crafters like to press the small yellow flowers and use them to decorate cards and stationery.

I remember going to a garden club meeting for the first time. I was new to flower gardening and my yard was pretty much a blank canvas. So many of the members wanted to welcome me and said that they liked to share their plants with each other..Would I like some of their pass a longs? I was delighted and went with them, after the meeting, to dig in their gardens. The ladies lived next door to each other and here I was between the two filling a cardboard box with all kinds of starts of plants. Their yards were so pretty and I had hopes of mine looking the same some day. I went home and planted the labeled plants in choice places in my yard. In the bottom of the box was a mass of tangled, green, stringy plants with a little yellow flower. It didn't look like much...all wilted and dead looking. I found a place behind the shed near the rhubarb. I watered everything in and waited in hopes that all would "take." I had forgotten about the dead mass that I planted behind the shed. A few days later I went out to pick some rhubarb and lo and behold...the plant was thriving. It had popped up and started to grow before my eyes, it seemed. The buds that were on the plant had started to open already. Tiny yellow button type flowers with green centers. I had buttercups for the rest of my days in that house. They would get in the way of other plants and I would tear them out...only to have them look healthier. I planted them anywhere I had a bare spot. I loved to pick tiny bouquets and put them in a jelly jar on my window sill. Neighbor kids asked if they could pick their Moms a bouquet. They were combined with other flowers to go to the nursing home or hospital. They went to the Church secretary to brighten her desk. My garden then was a friendship garden. Lots of pass a long plants to fill a new members garden.

Balisha