Ranunculus

Writer Carrie Tatro summed it up best in an online article this past January: “What’s nerve-wracking at a spelling bee but beloved by bees, hard to say three times really fast, poison if you eat it, a former cure for leprosy and oh-so-gobsmacking in a bridal bouquet? Answer: ranunculus, ranunculus, ranunculus.”

Giant double buttercups on steroids with a multitude of thin petals arranged in a quartered rose-like fashion. Blooms from late spring into summer. Good for borders, pots and cutting. Fern-like foliage.

Growing Ranunculus

Soil: Prefers moist well-drained soil.

Sun: Full

Sprouting: Ranunculus thrive in cool spring weather and take a few months to mature. Get started as early as possible by sprouting corms.

Soak bulbs in cool water for 3–4 hours. Fill a planting tray (with drainage holes) with 2" of slightly moistened potting soil. Set in the soaked corms “claws” down, and cover with 1" of soil. Set tray in a cool dark place (40–50°) for a few weeks. Keep soil moist, not wet. When little white roots have developed, the corms are ready to be planted out. Protect from frost.

Spacing: 2" deep, 8" apart.

Overwintering: If you are very thrifty, dig corms and store as with other tender bulbs, but expect smaller blooms next season. For best blooms, plant fresh corms. (Zones 7 and warmer can leave them in the ground.)