What’s Up Ranunculus?
Any fan of The Princess Bride is familiar with the iconic Princess Buttercup. Her character matches what buttercups symbolizes -- cheerfulness, youth and positivity. Buttercups are just one of many beautiful members of the genus Ranunculus, and The Princess Bride is just one story featuring these delicate, vibrant flowers. Often overlooked in home gardens, ranunculus are a hidden gem, offering a burst of color and elegance to any bouquet, garden or story.
Ranunculus in Folklore
Ranunculus show up all over the place in legends and folktales around the world. A traditional British children's game involves holding a buttercup under your chin to see if you like butter. If the buttercup reflects yellow on your skin, you’re a butter lover.
The Persians have a story where a prince, dressed in green, fell in love with a nymph. He followed her around, singing to her and professing her love night and day. One version of the story ends when the nymph’s friends got tired of the annoying prince, and turned him into a ranunculus. Another more dramatic ending leads to the prince dying of a broken heart after the nymph rejects him, and the ranunculus blooms where he died.
In the pacific Northwest, buttercups are known as “Coyote’s Eyes” among several Native American tribes. Legend has it that a coyote, growing bored with his life, plucked his eyes out and started playing catch with them. Coyote was tossing his eyes up in the air when an Eagle came by and snatched them up. The coyote wandered blind until he found buttercups to replace his eyes.
Growing Ranunculus
If you want to grow your own legendary ranunculus, start with rich, moist, well-drained soil, with neutral to slight acidity. These bright flowers love the sun - ranunculus thrive in full sun while still tolerating partial shade when necessary. Space them 9 inches apart for optimal growth!
Word to the wise: ranunculus contain a toxic compound called protoanemonin which can deter pests (making it safe from deer!), though make sure to keep it away from your own animals! Despite its toxicity, the flower has historical medicinal uses, and is a great pollinator due to it’s unique reflective properties.
Growing Method
Ranunculus can be planted in the fall and overwintered or in the spring, depending on your USDA growing zone. In zones 7 and higher, plant corms in the fall so they have time to enjoy the mild winter like the many snowbirds that visited our hometown in Arizona. I surely didn’t blame them! In zones 6 and lower, wait until early spring and pre-sprout before planting to reap the benefits of strong roots and stems.
Before sprouting, it is important to pre-soak your ranunculus corms for up to 4 hours. The corms will resemble tiny, shriveled octopus with no hope of transforming into the lovely, silky wonders that they ultimately become. Never fear, after they have doubled in size half fill a seed tray with a well balanced plant mix. Lay out the corms and then cover them completely with more soil. Store in a cool garage or basement and check on the corms to make sure the soil is moist but not soggy.
In 10-14 days tiny white rootlets will develop signaling that it is time to plant them in the ground. Plant corms “tentacles” down, 9 inches a part, 3 inches deep into a well composted garden bed. The fruits of your labor with blossom mid-spring and continue into summer. Ranunculus have a long 10-14 day vase life if harvested at the “marshmallow” stage just as the buds are coloring.
Happy growing!
