What is Ranunculus?

This spring, you really want to get a head start in your garden. You start by raking up all the leaves

left over from the fall. You turn over the soil in all your flower beds and prepare the veggie garden by adding the peat moss, compost, and cow manure.

When you step back and look, it doesn’t look like you did much, because there is no color in your garden yet, because it is still way too early to plant your impatiens or tomatoes. Now you can do something about it. Plant a great early season cool-weather bloomer like Ranunculus.

Ranunculus is a flowering bulb. On Long Island you would plant them in the spring for late spring to early summer blooming. But the great thing about these plants is that they can handle the cool weather of March and April, so we get them pre-grown and in bloom so you don’t have to wait.

They work really well in container gardening mixed with other flowering bulbs like tulips or daffodils. They are also magnificent used in a flower bed. Ranunculus is a favorite of the cut flower garden. They will grow 12-18 inches high at full bloom on mounded light bluish/green lacy foliage.

Tips for Growing Ranunculus
If you’re ready to start growing ranunculus at home, here are some tips to get you started:

• • Soil: Ranunculus prefers a well-drained soil that can retain moisture and nutrients. Add peat moss and compost at planting or if in containers, use a nutrient-rich potting soil.
  • Light: Ranunculus prefers full sun to part sun.
  • Bloom Time: Mid-March through late spring, and can bloom for 4-6 weeks.
  • Maintenance: Clean off yellowing leaves as they appear and cut flowers regularly to use as cut flowers.
  • Fertilizer: At planting, use an organic food such as Espoma Bulb Food; as the season progresses, liquid feed with Miracle-Gro.
  • Water: Ranunculus will require ample water, as you don’t want them to dry out. If they wilt due to lack of water the plants will lose their shape. But be careful not to overwater.
  • Pests: Ranunculus can get aphids on occasion and possibly powdery mildew. Both are easy to correct, so regular inspection will keep these problems in check. Use insecticidal soap for the aphids and sulfur spray for the mildew.

Ranunculus is one of those flowers not in the mainstream of everyday gardens and that is just ranunculus. I mean ridiculous. Try a few this spring, and I know you won’t be disappointed.

The Dees’ Nursery has everything you need to start growing your own ranunculus. Visit our gardening experts in our Long Island location or shop online for all of your gardening needs.