Common name: Buttercup
Family of plants: Ranunculaceae
Native to: Europe, Southwestern Asia and North America
Light requirements: full sun, partial shade, dislikes heat
Skill level: Intermediate
Cut Flower: YES
Dried Flower: NO
Fragrant: light scent
HARDINESS: perennial in zones 8-10, annual in zones 4-7
Height: up to 45 cm (8 to 18 in )
Time to plant corms: early spring or late autumn
Propagation: corms
Flowering period: late spring to early summer
A member of the Ranunculaceae family, Ranunculus has over 600 cousins in its family of flowering plants.
This so-called spring rose, lends itself perfectly for wedding flower work and bridal bouquets, as its delicate, romantic aspect and its pastel palette are often admired by brides. It also helps that florists love Ranunculus as well, since it is an excellent cut flower lasting up to 10 days in the vase.
You can plant Ranunculus in beds, borders or containers, just make sure the soil is always moist but not waterlogged, Ranunculus corms need well-drained soil or they will rot.
In zones 8 to 10 you can plant them in the fall, for early spring blooms. In zones 4 to 7 fall planting will only be possible in tunnels or hoop houses as ranunculus will not survive temperatures under -20 degrees celsius. You can also plant them in spring, but spring planting will result in shorter stems.
When planting, cover the bulbs with soil and water them well. Do not water again until you notice sprouts. To help sprouting you can presoak the corms for 4 to 6 hours. You will notice how they swell up to twice their original size. Soaking longer than that will lead to breakage. Fall Planted corms will bloom in early spring for up to 6 weeks.
