How to plant ranunculus and anemones?

Ranunculus and anemones are beloved spring bloomers that bring a cheerful touch to your garden or patio. They are not only easy to plant but also offer a long flowering period and make excellent cut flowers. In this blog, we share all the tips and planting instructions you need for a successful start.

Characteristics of ranunculus

• Long flowering period: with proper care, ranunculus blooms for 6-8 weeks.
• Perfect cut flowers: flowers stay fresh in a vase for 10-14 days.
• Versatile planting: suitable for gardens, pots, or greenhouses.
• Not fully winter hardy: tolerates light frost down to -3 °C; protection is needed in severe frost.
• Reusable corms (tubers): after blooming, you can store the corms and replant them next season.

Planting instructions for ranunculus corms

Ranunculus thrive with a cold start, which is essential for strong roots and abundant flowering. Here are the key steps:

Planting in autumn (for early spring blooms)

• when? late September to November.
• where? in a cool greenhouse or outdoors in areas with mild winters.
• tips:
  • keep soil temperature below 15 °C for optimal root growth.
  • protect tubers with fleece or mulch if temperatures drop below -3 °C.

Planting in spring (for summer blooms)

• when? February to April.
• where? start in a cool greenhouse and plant outdoors once frost is no longer a risk.
• tips:
  • begin with a soil temperature of 5-10 °C.
  • avoid temperatures above 20 °C once plants emerge.

Frequently asked questions about ranunculus

1. is ranunculus a perennial?
Ranunculus is usually grown as an annual, but the tubers can be stored and replanted.

2. is ranunculus winter hardy?
Ranunculus can tolerate light frost down to -3 °C. In harsher frost, protect them with mulch or fleece.

3. how long does ranunculus bloom?
With good care, ranunculus blooms for 6-8 weeks, making it one of the longest-flowering spring flowers.

4. does ranunculus need full sun?
Yes, ranunculus loves plenty of sunlight. Plant them in a sunny spot for the best results.

Planting instructions for anemone bulbs & ranunculus tubers

Anemones are great companions for ranunculus and have similar planting instructions.

• soak the bulbs: soak the bulbs in lukewarm water for 3-4 hours before planting.
• planting depth: plant anemone bulbs and ranunculus tubers 3-5 cm deep.
• spacing: leave 15-20 cm between plants.
• flowering period: anemones and ranunculus bloom 8-10 weeks after planting.
• location: choose a sunny or semi-shaded spot.