Florist ranunculus versus garden center ranunculus: what’s the difference?

Anyone who has ever seen photos of lush ranunculuses in bridal bouquets or on social media may have wondered why their own ranunculuses sometimes look different.

The flowers on Instagram look larger and fuller, and grow on long, elegant stems. Meanwhile, ranunculuses from the garden centre often stay shorter and produce smaller flowers.

Is that due to the care they receive? Sometimes. But often, the difference is already in the corm itself.

Not every ranunculus is the same

Ranunculuses have been popular in gardens for years. The corms you find in garden centres are usually selected for use in borders, flower boxes, or pots.

That does not mean they are poor quality. On the contrary, they often provide beautiful spring flowering in the garden.

But they were not developed with cut flowers in mind.

Those who want to harvest flowers for bouquets often find that these varieties:

• produce shorter stems;

• produce smaller flowers;

• produce fewer flowers per plant;

• have a shorter vase life.

They are perfectly suitable for a colourful garden. For a cut-flower garden, there are better alternatives.

Why do flower growers choose florist varieties?

Professional flower growers usually work with special ranunculus varieties specifically selected for cut-flower production.

These varieties are often bred for years for traits that are important to florists:

• long, sturdy stems;

• large, double flowers;

• high production per corm;

• a longer vase life;

• uniform flowering.

As a result, you get flowers that are perfectly suited to bouquets, bridal work, and floral arrangements.

You can often see the difference from the very first harvest.

What makes a florist ranunculus so special?

When you grow a high-quality florist ranunculus, its elegance is what stands out most.

The flowers open slowly, develop layer after layer of petals, and sometimes look almost like small roses or peonies.

What's more, the stems often continue growing, allowing you to harvest longer flowers. This makes them particularly popular with florists.

It's no coincidence that ranunculuses are among the most sought-after spring flowers for weddings and events.

The varieties I offer myself

For my collection I choose exclusively varieties selected for cut flowers.

Amandine Bonbon

Amandine Bonbon is known for its vigorous growth and impressive flowers.

The flowers have a striking pink to magenta-pink colour and appear on sturdy stems. This variety is known for being productive and reliable.

Chamello

Chamello has a romantic appearance with densely double flowers.

The petals resemble tiny roses and are particularly popular in bridal work.

Pastel Wedding

As the name suggests, this one is all about soft pastel colours.

This variety is perfect for romantic bouquets and natural-style floral arrangements.

Porcelaine

Porcelaine is one of the most refined ranunculus varieties in the range, a top mix of rosy shades.

The flowers have a soft, elegant appearance and combine beautifully with other spring bloomers.

Why are florist-grade tubers more expensive?

That is a question I receive regularly.

The price difference is mainly due to the quality of the planting material.

Professional varieties are specifically developed for cut flower production. This requires years of breeding and selection.

As a grower, you get plenty in return:

• more flowers per tuber;

• longer stems;

• larger flowers;

• better uniformity;

• a higher yield.

Although the purchase price is often slightly higher, you usually also get many more flowers from the same area. After flowering, you can dig up your ranunculus tubers and store them for the following year. You can reuse them every year!

When should you plant ranunculus?

Ranunculus can be planted both in autumn and early spring.

Many professional growers choose to plant in autumn under protection, as this allows the plants to develop a strong root system before flowering begins.

For hobby gardeners, planting in spring is often the simplest option.

The tubers are soaked for several hours before planting so they can absorb moisture again and swell nicely.

Then plant them with the "feet" facing down in airy, well-drained soil at a depth of approximately 5 centimetres.

A sunny spot generally produces the most beautiful flowers.

So are garden-centre ranunculus not a good choice?

Definitely.

If you mainly want colour in the garden, many garden-centre varieties are an excellent choice.

But when you dream of:

• long stems;

• beautiful bouquets;

• a cutting garden;

• flowers for wedding work or sale;
  

then it is worth investing in florist-quality corms.

My advice

Those growing ranunculus for the first time often think that all corms produce the same flowers.

That is not the case.

Just as with roses, tulips or dahlias, there are major differences between varieties.

Would you like to grow ranunculus for cutting? Then it all starts with quality corms.

You notice the difference not only during flowering, but also when you cut the first long stem and make a little bouquet at home.

And believe me: once you have grown a true florist ranunculus, you often won't want anything else.

Frequently asked questions about ranunculus

When do you plant ranunculus corms?

Ranunculus corms can be planted under protection in autumn or in the open ground in early spring, as soon as the most severe frost has passed.

Should you soak ranunculus corms first?

Yes. Soak the corms in cold to lukewarm water for 3 to 4 hours before planting them. This allows them to absorb moisture and start growing more quickly. Watch this video to see how I do it

How deep do you plant ranunculus corms?

Plant the corms about 5 cm deep with the "legs" facing down.

How many flowers does one ranunculus corm produce?

That depends on the variety and growing conditions. Florist varieties often produce significantly more flowers - 5 to 7 stems per plant - than standard garden-centre varieties.

Are ranunculus hardy?

Ranunculus can tolerate light frost, but they are not fully hardy. Protection is recommended during severe frost.

What is the difference between florist ranunculus and ordinary ranunculus?

Florist ranunculus are selected for long stems, large flowers, high production and a longer vase life. Ordinary garden-centre varieties are usually developed for use in the garden.