How to Grow Anemones and Ranunculus in New Zealand
Anemones and Ranunculus are the best value-for-money bulbs available and they flower for an extended period each spring. This NZ growing guide covers when to plant Anemones and Ranunculus, where they grow best, how to care for them, and how to enjoy them as long-lasting cut flowers.
Let's get started with Anemones and Ranunculus
Explore the NZ Bulbs range of standard and premium Anemones and Ranunculus for garden or cut flower use.
Anemones are corms, similar to bulbs, but corms make a whole new one on top of the old one every growing season while bulbs grow larger and produce offsets by dividing. Gladioli, crocuses and freesias are other examples of corms. Anemones are like little brown pieces of gravel when dried out after harvest.
Ranunculus are tuberous roots, they look like miniature dahlia tubers. They have a central crown which the roots are attached to. When dormant they are very dry and break apart easily so should be handled carefully.
Pre-germinating your Anemones and Ranunculus
Anemones and ranunculus are happiest germinating and growing in cool conditions. They benefit greatly from being 'pre-germinated' by placing them in damp sawdust in your fridge for around three to four weeks. You can mix them in the sawdust like raisins in a cake mix, but keep the layer no more than 5cm deep so that air can get into the mix as well.
De Caen 'Blue Poppy'
Anemone 'Bordeaux'
St Brigid 'Mt Everest'
The corms and tubers will absorb moisture and swell up to their normal size within a few days and they will also break dormancy. Fridges are a very dry environment, so check every day to ensure that the sawdust does not dry out. Spray it with a light mist of water each day if necessary. After three weeks you can start to check them for the first signs of roots and shoots developing. As soon as you see this it is time to plant them out.
How to plant Anemones and Ranunculus
Both are easy to grow when the basics are right: drainage, depth, sunlight, moisture and fertiliser during active growth.
Step 1 – Choose the Right Position
Anemones and Ranunculus prefer:
Full sun, but partial shade is OK
Free-draining, humus-rich soil
Good airflow around the stems and leaves
A neutral soil pH
Step 2 – Prepare the Soil
Loosen the soil before planting and work in some quality compost. A raised bed area will help with drainage. Work in a few handfuls of powdered lime to increase the pH.
No fertiliser is needed at planting time, but they are heavy feeders and love regular fertiliser once they are 8-10cm tall and actively growing.
Step 3 – Plant at the Correct Depth
A depth of 2cm is good - that is, 2cm of soil over the top of the corm or tuber.
Plant anemones pointed end facing down.
Plant ranunculus with the tubers (claws) facing down.
Space them 15–20cm apart.
Water to keep moist, not wet.
Growing Anemones and Ranunculus in Pots
Both grow very well in pots and containers, making them ideal for patios, decks, entranceways and smaller gardens. Use a deep container with drainage holes and a quality bulb mix or free-draining potting mix.
Anemones and Ranunculus grow into plants up to 25cm wide, so a pot 30-40cm wide and deep can have three planted in it as they will expand over the edge of the pot.
Pot size
Use a deep pot rather than a shallow bowl. They need a deep root area for stable growth with plenty of moisture and nutrients.
Drainage
Choose a pot with clear drainage holes. Never let the pot sit in a saucer of water as they do not like to be waterlogged.
Watering
Keep the mix evenly moist once shoots appear, especially during warm or windy weather when it can dry quickly.
Position
Shelter the pots from strong winds and also from frosts. Although they are hardy, frosts will burn new soft growth.
Care while growing
Watering
Water to keep just moist, not too dry and definitely not too wet. Planted outdoors in late spring after pre-germinating there will usually be enough rain to keep them growing well. Watch for dry spells and water if necessary. Drying out will set the plants back and significantly reduce flowering.
Fertilising
Anemones and Ranunculus are heavy feeders and love regular fertiliser once they are 8-10cm tall and actively growing. They do like a lot of nitrogen so using a liquid fertiliser a couple of times through the growing season can stimulate growth a lot, but remember that they also need potassium for flowering so using a balanced-nutrient bulb fertiliser is important.
Flowering and Cut Flower Tips
Anemones and Ranunculus flower from late winter through to late spring, depending on planting date and local climate. They are very long lasting cut flowers, ideal for a simple bunch in a vase or to be used in bouquets.
For Anemone cut flowers, pick stems low down near the base when the buds are have started to break open. They open slowly and will close again at night so you have plenty of time to pick them.
For Ranunculus cut flowers, pick stems low down near the base when the buds have half-opened from the hard round stage. If picked too early they may not fully open in your vase.
Remove any leaves that would sit below the water line.
Recut stems before placing them in a vase.
Refresh vase water regularly for the best vase life.
They use a lot of water, top your vase up every day.
Care After Flowering
Ranunculus and anemones will keep growing and flowering throughout the cooler weather and will shut down naturally as it becomes warmer in late spring.
No special care is needed as they come to an end. After they have died back you can harvest the corms and tubers for storage and replanting in mid to late autumn the following year.
If you do harvest them, dry them carefully in an airy place but not in direct sun. They will dry out to look like the very dry corms and tubers that you planted.
Common Anemone and Ranunculus Problems
Poor germination
Poor germination is usually due to the stock being old. Because they are very hard and dry corms and tubers it is not possible to tell their age when you buy them. These bulbs for sale in January and February in retail outlets are all imported late the previous year to be packed and ready to ship in the new year. The import timing means that only old stock is available from overseas suppliers.
NZ Bulbs stock is always new season and that is why it is only available from mid to late March onwards. We germination test all our stock and we know it grows.
The second reason for poor germination is that they are cool-climate plants. They prefer to germinate at 4-5 degrees in moist soil, not in summer heat when they are for sale here in January and February. This further reduces germination rates.
Bulbs rotting
Usually caused by poor drainage and the corms or tubers drowning. Improve drainage in your soil by blending in good compost, plant in raised beds, or try growing in pots where drainage is better.
Weak stems
Often caused by low light, shallow planting or very rapid growth due to excess nitrogen. Plant in a position with more light and use a balanced NPK fertiliser rather than ones high in nitrogen.
Leaf spots
Can be encouraged by wet foliage or crowding causing poor airflow. Remove infected material and avoid overhead watering. While they are hardy, hard frosts will burn the leaves. Cover with frost cloth to protect them.
Common Questions
When should I plant Anemones and Ranunculus in New Zealand?
Plant fresh stock from mid to late March when it is available.
Where do Anemones and Ranunculus grow best?
They grow well in all parts of New Zealand in full sun or part shade. Free-draining soil is important.
How deep should I plant Anemones and Ranunculus?
Plant with 2cm of soil over ther top and space them 15–20cm apart.
Can Anemones and Ranunculus be grown in pots?
Yes. They grow well in deep pots with quality mix and good drainage. Be careful they don't dry out as pots can dry quickly.
Will they grow again next season?
Yes, Anemones and Ranunculus can return year after year in your garden but they do tend to die out after a few years. Best results will always be obtained from planting new stock.
Final Advice
Success with Anemones and Ranunculus comes down to only a few essentials:
Fresh, new-season corms and tubers
Pre-germinate in cold conditions
Prepare free-draining soil with some lime added
Plant in full sun or light shade
Feed well with a balanced fertiliser
With those basics right, your Anemones and Ranunculus will germinate well and reward you with many flowers through late winter and spring.
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