What is buttercup?

Buttercup or “creeping buttercup” is a widespread invasive species on Vancouver island. Buttercup thrives in lawns and in wet lowland environments. Buttercup spreads through long lateral stems that take root and create new plants. One buttercup plant can spread to cover 40 square feet in one year. Buttercup spreads by creating a firmly anchored network of plants.

Why is buttercup invasive?

• A single buttercup plant can turn into a patch containing thousands of plants
• Buttercup spreads underground through a rapidly expanding system of stems which constantly sprouts new plants
• Buttercup produces extremely resilient growth that re-sprouts after cutting
• A single buttercup plant produces up to 150 seeds per year
• Buttercup infestations in lowland areas can often suppress all native vegetation and completely take over an area
• Buttercup depletes potassium from the soil which harms surrounding plants

Why is it crucial to remove buttercup?

• Buttercup crowds out native species
• Buttercup infestations will get worse over time
• Buttercup can harm natural waterways
• Buttercup can spread to neighbouring property
• Buttercup thrives and spreads rapidly in the lowland areas of our Pacific Northwest forests

Permanently removing buttercup

Small buttercup infestations can be removed manually. Large infestations will require heavy digging.

When necessary, we employ eco-friendly treatments to eradicate buttercup. One month after the treatment the root system will die.

After the buttercup is dead and removed the area should be replanted with grass or with other suitable ground cover to reclaim the area and prevent the buttercup from coming back.

Ascent Yard Care has permanently removed hundreds of buttercup infestations since our business was founded in 2017.

Buttercup removal cost

Contact us for a free in-person quote in Victoria, BC and Jake will provide an exact work order and quote.

Won’t the buttercup just grow back?

In the worst infestations, up to 2 follow up visits may be necessary to completely eradicate re-growth. Most buttercup patches we service are completely and permanently removed in one visit.

Expert Help:

We care intensely about the success of each project. Contact us for a Free Quote.

Want to try removing buttercup yourself? Follow these tips:

Pull buttercup out from the roots

Small and young buttercup plants can be pulled out from the roots. This is easiest when the soil is soft and wet.

Dig out the roots

Use a pickaxe or shovel to dig out the roots. Mature buttercup roots can grow as deep as 1 foot downward.

Be careful of spreading cuttings

Do not leave cuttings of buttercup on the ground. The cuttings will take root and sprout a new plant. It is very important to take the plant to a disposal facility or bag it in a plastic bag so further spreading does not occur.

Covering

Cut the buttercup to ground level. Cover the area in an opaque tarp or sheet of plastic. It is very important no light can pass through the covering. This will prevent the buttercup from photosynthesizing and the plants and root system will eventually die after one year or more of being covered.

Expert Help:

We care intensely about the success of each project. Contact us for a Free Quote.