Ranunculus and anemones, two of the Southland’s most popular spring-flowering ornamentals, deserve to be known as the twin flowers. They look alike, grow alike and may be propagated from either seed or corms. In addition, they are as valuable indoors as for the outdoor scene. This is the time to plant both ranunculus and anemones.
The corms should be soaked prior to planting. This water treatment causes them to swell up to several times their original size. It also encourages more rapid sprouting. Maximum results can be obtained if the corms soak for about three or four hours before planting time.
Make sure they have not been treated in this manner before purchasing them. Ranunculus and anemone corms are sold by size, the larger the corm the higher the price. Unscrupulous dealers have been known to soak the corms in order to increase the size for better prices. Keep this in mind when obtaining your supplies.
Anemone corms are cone-shaped and should be planted with the tips pointing downwards, the flat side up. A ranunculus corm looks like a tiny claw and in planting position the claws should point downward. Set the corms from two to three inches deep, depending on the size and texture of the soil. Light soils require deeper planting than heavy soils. Allow approximately six inches between plants. This spacing provides sufficient room for root expansion.
If you have never seen anemone or ranunculus corms before, you are in for a surprise. They appear completely lifeless. Yet there is sufficient vitality stored up to produce as beautiful a flower as exists in the entire plant kingdom. The blooms are gay, yet the corms are grotesque, drab-looking and the color of dirt. It is interesting to note that Southern California probably grows more ranunculus corms than any other comparable area.
Anemones and ranunculus started now will flower in from 10 to 12 weeks. During fall, winter and early spring an open, sunny location will prove best. For later plantings, semi-shade is recommended. Both plants prefer a rich, sandy loam although they seem to succeed in any soil except extremely heavy ones. That type of soil can be improved by adding liberal quantities of peat. Leaf mold will also work out effectively.
Several types of anemones are available but the most popular are the Giant French and the St. Brigid strains. The former are available in separate shades of blue, red and white. The named varieties are Blue Beauty, Red Emperor and the Bride. These are all very brilliantly colored and have a height of about 12 inches.
The St. Brigid anemones are both double and semi-double and are usually sold in a mixture containing shades of white, pink, rose, red, blue and lavender. They prefer lots of moisture during the growing season.
Ranunculus are sold in mixture and also in separate shades of red, orange, pink, gold and white. The better strains are almost entirely double, giving the flower the appearance of a small pompon dahlia. A mixed bed of ranunculus and anemones may prove the real high light of your spring garden. You can prolong the flowering period by making plantings at successive intervals of every two or three weeks. Professional gardeners usually lift the corms after the flowering stage … about the time the plants start to wilt down.
