Ranunculus Bulb Gardening

Information on growing the Ranunculus in your bulb garden. Includes planting and care information.

Ranunculus Bulb Gardening

Another front garden flower is surely the tuberous Ranunculus. Experience persuades me that it is wise to regard the Turban kind as the only hardy one, though it is likely that French, Scotch, and Dutch would succeed under similar cultivation in all specially sheltered nooks of warm gardens. In the worst gardens, Turban kinds should be grown only as recommended for the more delicate ones. Named ' Turbans ' are obtainable, such as the citron Seraphique and green-and-scarlet Viridiflora, but a mixture of Giant Double will satisfy all persons but the most captious.

In habit of growth, consequently in effect when filling a bed, the tuberous Ranunculus resembles the Carnation, the flowers being thrown on long stems well above tufted foliage, the latter being vivid deep green, however, instead of grey.

Plant tubers, then, in rich yet sandy soil, in sun shine, claw-points downwards, in October, risking others, perhaps, in November, to obtain a second bloom-harvest. Place them 2 inches deep, 3 inches or more apart. Mulch over with coco -nut-fibre refuse in order to keep the soil from being dried up and hardened. Once foliage has begun watering should be started, unless the weather is wet or frosty, for this plant must not lack moisture during the growing season. There should be an exquisite show in June, and the flowers last for weeks in water indoors. Mulch in April with well-rotted cow-manure, and give fertilizers and liquid manures when buds form if extra fine blossoms are desired. Lift the tubers, like bulbs of Tulips, after foliage has died, and store.

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