I have some questions about caring & hopefully transplanting a Ranunculus plant that I received for Easter last Sunday. This beautiful plant is currently in a plastic container provided by the greenhouse. It is blooming profusely in a 9”diam.x 6”h container. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio and I believe our last frost has just occurred for this past winter.
My yard offers all kinds of light conditions… morning sun, afternoon sun, full shade or full sun. Can I transplant this plant into my yard and if so, which type of light would be best? My beds drain well. My afternoon sun beds are probably the most “plant ready”. Do I need to fertilize before transplanting and with what type of fertilizer? Would it be better to keep this plant in a container?
Finally, if I plant it in the ground will it come back next year? Is it a truly a hardy perennial? Do I need to bring it in to winter or just dig up bulbs in the fall & replant next spring.
Thanks,
Polly

Hi Polly
Ranunculus (persian Buttercup) like full sun and moist well-drained soil but not wet soil. They bloom in late winter/spring, are hardy in warm clilmates and go dormant in the summer heat. You will have to dig them up for the winter, so its probably better to keep the plant in a container. Enjoy them in the pots and when they are done blooming let the folliage die back and the tubers dry out. Store the claw shaped tubers in bags of dry peat @ 50F. Replant indoors two months before the last frost.
Have a great spring