Ranunculus

If you are driving on US 101 through the Central Coast in May, be sure to stop in Santa Maria to see the Ranunculus fields in bloom. They are located just east of the freeway on Betteravia Road. If you're coming from the south, you can see them before you exit. Coming from the north, get off at Betteravia Road and turn left.

Ranunculus are great 'bulbs' for California landscapes. Each plant can produce over 50 flowers. The tubers are sold by flower color, which come in white, pink, red, yellow, gold and orange. You can also buy mixed colors. These are the Tecolote Giants. They are grown in Carlsbad and Santa Maria. See the Carlsbad fields in April.

On the left are Ranunculus close up. You can see that some of the flowers are single, but most are semi-double to double. Plants with single flowers are rogued.

Plant the tubers in November with the prongs down. Water just after planting, then again when the sprouts emerge. Plant in full sun in a soil with good drainage. Ranunculus bloom in the spring. When the flowers are finished, let the foliage dry, then lift and store the tubers until planting time next November.