Ranunculus: A Question About Gardening

I got a packet of ranunculus rhizomes (I think they are rhizomes) at the dollar store the other day. Not the best source for seeds and the like, but they were a dollar. Who can resist?

I have seen ranunculus for sale in the nursery but know nothing about doing them from scratch. I know they are an early spring flower and I am wondering if it is too late to start them? I am right at the split for zones 6 and 7 and I am pretty sure we are done with frost (although, with this winter, I wouldn't be surprised to get a foot of snow next week). Does anyone have experience with starting ranunculus? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

They are so beautiful and I have always admired them at the nursery. Usually, I steer clear of the early bloomers because they are over and done so quickly. And ranunculus tend to be a bit pricey for such a short bloom. I really hope I can get them going.

Here you go:  http://www.easytogrowbulbs.com//g-21-ranunculus-planting-guide.aspx

I used to have ranunculus a long time ago, but I grew them from bulbs. I know they need full sun and so we put them in the flowerbed in the back yard, right in the front of the bed. They're gorgeous flowers.

We lost a lot of our bulbs: the ranunculus, our tulips, etc. We think the mice or the voles got to them. We keep saying we want to replant, especially the tulips, but we'd have to plant the bulbs in cages to try to protect them.

Good luck with them!

Thank you! That is a great site and I bookmarked it. I had no idea they were bulbs, they are the funniest looking bulbs I have ever seen. Now I have to decide if I want to plant them in pots or the yard. It is supposed to be in the 70's next week, so I am excited to begin this year's planting. I think we are going to do a big vegetable garden as well as my usual flowers, but that will have to wait another month.

I just learned today about ranunculus and toxicity. My order to easy-to-grow bulbs for them is enroute, arriving after the last frost around here...And I really want to see them blooming in the sun! Will the cat eat them without fail or is is just a possibility?

That is to say, I ordered the bulbs and then learned they are toxic and yet sometimes eaten by cats! How commonly do felines eat them?

Plant catnip nearby but far enough away to be safe .

Ah, great idea!

I grew up in Arlington, and I never saw any ranunculus growing there. I see in that link that they are safe in zones 8-10, so they won't be hardy in 6-7. You can plant what you have, hope you get some blooms, but they won't come back next year.