Ranunculus, with their layers of delicate, rose-like petals and vibrant colors, are a favorite among gardeners and florists alike. These elegant, perennial flowers may look complicated, but with a little care and planning, they can be grown successfully. Not only are these flowers incredibly beautiful, they are early bloomers, a very welcome arrival in Spring. This is our third year growing Ranunculus, so we thought we would share what we have learned and also the varieties that we have chosen this year.
Preferred Conditions
Ranunculus prefer cool conditions, they do like sunshine but prefer the cooler temperatures of Spring rather than hot summer sunshine. They also like well-drained soil so be sure to add compost and build your beds up a bit if your garden tends to be soggy. You can plant your ranunculus in your garden beds and borders or pots. If using pots ensure they have really good draining and fill them with a good quality compost.
Choosing your Ranunculus
Ranunculus is a large genus of over 1750 flowering plants, and includes the common Buttercup.
When buying your Ranunculus, you want to look for Ranunculus asiaticus (Persian Buttercup) this is a cultivated form of the genus and contains lots of lovely varieties. We have included the varieties we are growing this year at the bottom of this article.
Preparing and planting
We plant our ranunculus out in late winter, usually around early to mid February, this gives us flowers from the end of April to the beginning of June. You can also plant them in late autumn and you will have them flowering earlier, but be aware you may need to protect them when temperatures fall below freezing over winter.
Ranunculus corms are very strange creatures, they look like little dried crustaceans. When you buy your corms make sure you store them somewhere cool and dry (and away from mice) before planting.
Soaking the dry corms in room temperature water for a few hours before planting helps them to rehydrate and will speed up the sprouting process slightly. We soak ours for 4 to 5 hours in bowls in the kitchen, be sure to not leave them overnight as they may begin to rot.
When the corms have been soaked they are ready for planting, you can either plant them straight out into your borders and pots or you can pre sprout them in trays. We pre sprout ours in trays of compost for a few weeks, this basically means you tuck them into a shallow tray of compost, and leave them somewhere dark and cool, until they start to sprout and send up shoots. We start ours in trays with lids at the beginning of Jan and plant out from early Feb, by which time they are small, sturdy little plants.
We plant in shallow seed trays in damp, peat free compost and then cover with a lid. As long as the compost doesnt dry out too much, we don't usually water them after that until they are planted outside as they do not liek being overwatered and it can cause them to rot or mould. We leave them in one of our barns in a cool, dark place.
The main benefits of pre sprouting are that we can protect the corms from mice (mice LOVE ranunuculs corms, however they seem to lose interest when they have sprouted), and we are planting out healthy plants that have had a good start so they seem to fare better.
We plant them straight into our outdoor beds in Feb, we have good drainage here at the farm but we always add a good layer of mulch to improve it further. Ranunculus are fairly hardy, however they will need some protection from prolonged heavy frosts, so if the temperatures drop we protect them with gardening fleece.
This year we may start some in late Autumn to have some earlier flowers, the process will be exactly the same, we will pre-sprout in early Nov and plant out in December, but we will need to provide protection throughout winter when temperatures are below freezing.
Looking after them - avoid hot temps, feed when starting to flower and maybe again, consider adding support as they can grow tall
Common problems
When to cut and how to look after them in a vase-
Post season care
When your Ranunculus have finished flowering you can either:
Lift your corms -In colder climates, dig up the corms after the foliage dies back. Clean and store them in a cool, dry place until the next planting season when you can plant them again.
Leave them in - In milder climates, you can leave corms in the ground to naturalize or replant for another season of blooms.
Quick Summary
Timing: Plan to plant ranunculus in the autumn if you live in a mild winter climate or in late winter/early spring for colder areas.
Selection: Purchase high-quality corms from a reputable supplier. Larger corms often yield more flowers.
Pre-Soaking: Before planting, soak the corms in room-temperature water for 3-4 hours. This rehydrates them, helping them sprout faster. Avoid over-soaking, as this can lead to rot.
Site Selection: Choose a location with full sun and well-draining soil. Raised beds or containers work well if your garden has heavy soil.
Soil Preparation: Enrich the soil with compost or organic matter. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0).
Planting Depth: Plant the corms with their "claws" facing down, about 5-8 cm (2-3 inches) deep and 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) apart.
Watering: Water well after planting, then keep the soil moist but not soggy as the corms establish roots.
Temperature: Ranunculus prefer cool temperatures. They thrive in daytime temperatures between 10-18°C (50-65°F) and cooler nights.
Watering: Regular, moderate watering is key. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely but ensure it’s not waterlogged.
Fertilizing: Feed your ranunculus with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer every few weeks during active growth.
Mulching: Add a light layer of mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Common Issues: Watch for aphids, slugs, and powdery mildew. Use organic pest control methods where possible, such as introducing beneficial insects or using neem oil.
Good Practices: Avoid overcrowding plants, as this can encourage disease. Ensure good air circulation around your ranunculus.
6. Harvesting Blooms
Timing: Harvest when the buds feel firm and have just started to open for the longest vase life.
Technique: Use clean, sharp scissors or snips to cut stems at an angle early in the morning.
Aftercare: Place the cut stems in cool water immediately. Ranunculus blooms can last up to 10 days in a vase if cared for properly.
7. Post-Season Care
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You want to look for Ranunculus asiaticus (Persian Buttercup) is a cultivated form of the genus and contains lots of lovely varieties. They make wonderful cut flowers as well as border or container plants.
Ranunculus asiaticus 'Aviv Picotee Orange' (Aviv Series)
Ranunculus asiaticus 'Aviv Picotee Café' (Aviv Series)Ranunculus asiaticus 'Aviv Picotee Café' (Aviv Series)
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