Have you ever noticed how pretty ranunculus are? Not only do they come in many different colors, but their petals are so light and lacy. They remind me of one of my favorite spring flowers, peonies. They are also called the “rose of spring” because many people think they look like garden roses. This year, I decided to grow ranunculus in my flowerpots. And you can grow ranunculus in your garden this spring as well.
Ranunculus can be grown by corm, seed or transplant. A corm is a small tuber that looks a little like an octopus with multiple arms. Using corms is the most frequent way to plant these lovely flowers. Although you can grow ranunculus from seed, this is not the most common technique and the seeds do not germinate very well. Finally, you can purchase the flowers from your local garden center and transplant them into your garden. This would be the most expensive option if you want a large number of plants.
If you live in a mild climate (Zone 8-10) you can plant corms in the fall and let them winter over. However, if you live in a colder climate, then you can plant the corms in the spring and get blooms later in the summer. These plants won’t produce quite as many flowers, but you will still get plenty of flowers to enjoy.
You can use ranunculus transplants instead of the corms if you want them to grow in the cool spring temperatures that the plants prefer. Many garden centers are selling ranunculus this year. In the past, you almost never saw these plants for sale. But ranunculas transplants are becoming a great spring option to choose from.
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Why Grow Ranunculus In Your Garden…
One of the nice benefits of ranunculus is that the flowers grow on a straight sturdy stalk. That means these flowers are great for cutting. Their blooms will also last about 10 days if you pick them before they have fully opened. Ranunculus will continue to flower for about 6 weeks. This is great for spring bouquets because it offers long-lasting flowers.
Another benefit of ranunculus is that they come in so many different colors…from white and pale yellows to pink, fuchsias and bright reds. There are even green, lavender and orange colored flowers. This will give you a lot of options for your garden.
How to Grow Ranunculus in your Garden…
In Containers:
If you are growing these flowers in containers, you can plant them about 4 inches apart. You want to have high quality, well-drained potting soil to grow them in. While ranunculus can tolerate a little cold weather, they will not do well in prolonged freezing temperatures. So if you notice a freeze coming, move your pots to a protected area.
Ranunculus do like full sun so you will want to place your pots in an area that is not shaded. The plants thrive with plenty of moisture but they don’t like soggy roots, so make sure that your pot has drainage holes.
In Your Cutting Garden:
You can also plant these starts in your flower beds and cutting garden. Again be sure that the risk of a hard frost has passed. Dipping into the ’30s at night is okay but if the cold temperatures will last for an extended time you’ll want to cover them with a frost cloth for protection. Just like containers, you’ll want well-drained soil. I would also recommend that you amend your soil with compost before adding in your plants. Plant about 4-6 inches apart in your garden beds.
How To Plant The Corms:
If you decide to plant ranunculus corms instead of transplants, here are a few guidelines. First, soak these little tubers in water for at about 4-8 hours. You’ll notice that they’ve plumped up from the moisture. Prepare your garden bed or pot by loosening the soil and adding some compost. Be sure to only use a high-quality potting soil in your containers, not garden soil.
After soaking, place the corm with the octopus legs facing downward, about 2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart. They can be a little closer together in your containers. Carefully cover with soil and give the area a light watering. Don’t water again until you begin to see a plant stalk emerging.
You can also get a head start on growing your ranunculus by pre-sprouting them. Start by soaking your corms as noted above about 2 weeks before your last frost. Then place them in a container of potting soil and cover lightly with additional soil. Water lightly and store them in a cool area such as your garage or basement. After 10-14 days they’ll have grown small hairlike roots and plumped up even more. Now you can plant them in your pots or garden bed.
Maintaining Your Ranunculus…
During the growing season:
Water the plants regularly but don’t overwater. The corms have a tendency to rot if given too much water in poorly draining soil. Also, be sure to remove the spent flowers as they fade. This will encourage the production of more flowers.
What to do as the Flowers Fade…
Once your flowers stop blooming the plants will begin to turn yellow. Now you have to decide what to do with them. If you live in a mild climate you can just wait until they have turned brown and trim off the dead material. Don’t cut them back too soon, however, because they need time to store nutrients for next year. Once you cut them back, leave in place and your ranunculus should rebloom next year. Keep in mind however that they shouldn’t be watered at this time or the corm could rot. So if the flowers are in your cutting garden, you might want to dig the corms up, allow them to dry, and store them until next fall when you can plant them in your garden again.
If you live in a colder climate, you have two choices. One, you can treat your ranunculus just like an annual. Pull it up and throw it into your compost bin. Or two, after the plant dies back, you can dig up the corm and allow it to dry out. Then store it for next year. In the spring, you can plant it directly into your pots and beds or you can grow it indoors and then transplant it into your garden. With proper care, you should be able to replant and grow these lovely flowers for years.
If you have never grown these sweet little flowers before, then why not give them a try this year. Grab a few plants from your local garden center or order them online. Try planting a few to see if you like the look and ease of growing them. When you grow ranunculus in your garden, you’ll end up with beautiful flowers that make the perfect spring bouquet.