Salmon Ranunculus

Summer Blooming Bulbs, including popular varieties such as gladiolus and dahlias, are planted in the spring and bloom in the summer. Most of these bulbs are tropical and require warm weather to be planted. There must not be any danger of frost and your ground temperature must have reached 55 degrees Fahrenheit before planting. Many of our summer blooming bulbs can be planted as perennials in zones 9-10 (zone 8 if mulched), but should be treated as annuals in cooler climates. You can lift them and store them in the fall, or bring patio pots inside before frost. See page 15 of our Planting Guide for a bulb depth planting illustration.

Ranunculus have spectacular looking blooms and make for long lasting cut flowers. Growing ranunculus can be tricky. These bulbs can be planted in the fall or spring, depending on where you live. In warmer USDA zones, they are considered cool-season perennials. Ranunculus is popular in the southern and western United States (zones 7 and above), where they are planted in the fall, grow through the winter season and bloom in March. They are very sensitive to frost.

In zones 6 and below we suggest only planting ranunculus tubers in the spring as they are not very cold hardy. They should be planted outdoors after the last frost date.

Ranunculus are also popular for indoor planting. If you live in a colder zone (zone 6 or below) and wish to get an early start for your garden, ranunculus can be planted indoors as early as February, and can be transplanted outdoors after chance of frost. They'll begin blooming in June or July. Ranunculus can go dormant with too much heat, so don't place them near radiators.

Ranunculus prefer cool weather, require well-drained soil and full sun (except in warmer climates, where they will need light or partial shade). The tubers should be planted 2" beneath the soil surface, about 6" apart. Water after planting, soaking the area. Don't let the tubers sit in water or they will rot. After new shoots appear, keep the plants evenly moist.