Find out if ranunculus are perennials where you live, and how to protect the corms from winter cold.
Ritu Vincent / Getty Images
Although somewhat challenging to grow,ranunculus flowersare breathtaking.
The answer depends on where you live and how you handle your ranunculus.
Credit:Ritu Vincent / Getty Images
Are Ranunculus Perennial or Annual?
The ranunculus we grow for cut flowers(Ranunculus asiaticus)is atender perennial like a dahlia.
However, they can’t survive very cold temperatures.
What Is a Corm?
Winter Temperatures
Winter temperatures are the main limiting factor because ranunculus corms cannot withstand being frozen.
If your soil freezes at all, basically in Zone 7 and colder, your ranunculus wont survive.
After frozen corms thaw, they’ll rot.
Drainage
Areas with warmer winters and soil temperatures that stay above freezing must still consider drainage.
Many warm areas have cool but wet winters.
Corms sitting in soggy winter soil will rot.
If it sounds like rotting corms is a common problem with ranunculus, thats because it is.
Theyre susceptible to too much moisture and turn to mush if thesoil drainage isnt excellent.
Besides avoiding any overly wet situations, digging up the corms will help avoid overcrowding.
Likedahlia tubers, ranunculus naturally multiply underground and over time will create a dense cluster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ranunculus usually begin blooming about 90 days after planting pre-sprouted corms.
Yes, they will.
Ranunculus corms are not fussy about storage.
Dry them off, and keep them in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Theyll look dry and hard and are impervious to anything except high humidity.
Keep them safe from mice and other rodents.
While deer dont favor ranunculus, they may browse the tops while tasting other plants.
Protect them with fencing,deer repellents, or other means that work for you.
