Why many gardeners are swapping tulips for Asian ranunculus this spring

Many home gardeners are turning away from classic tulips, while an old flower with generous pom-pom blooms is causing a stir this spring.

If you think about flower beds in spring, tulips are usually the first plant that springs to mind. Yet their brief flowering period and steadily rising prices are making plenty of gardeners rethink their choices. In their place, a nearly forgotten tuberous plant is making a comeback: it flowers for longer, looks denser, and is suddenly appearing everywhere in trend gardens from Paris to Berlin.

One practical reason for its surge in popularity is the quality of the planting stock. Plump, healthy corms tend to produce stronger displays, so gardeners who want the best results should choose firm, undamaged specimens and soak them only if they are sound.

Why tulips are losing fans - and another flower is taking the spotlight

Tulips burst into spring with real drama, but often their show is over after just one or two weeks. A heavy downpour, an early hot day, and the petals are already scattered across the bed. Many varieties also fade quickly, and the bulbs need replacing regularly, which becomes expensive and rather discouraging.

The rival is the ranunculus, more precisely the Asian ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus), often sold in garden centres simply as garden ranunculus. Its tightly layered flowers resemble miniature peonies, look like coloured pom-poms, and last much longer in the border.

Anyone who has had enough of dazzling but short-lived tulips will find Asian ranunculus a surprisingly long-lasting spring alternative.

From white and cream to apricot, blush pink, rich red and violet, the colour range is huge. Planted in groups, the flowers create that “luxury hotel lobby” effect many people know from Instagram gardens - only here it is in their own border or even a window box.

What makes Asian ranunculus so appealing

Gardeners who make the switch keep coming back to the same reasons. The main advantages are:

• Longer flowering period: usually from late May into June, often noticeably longer than many tulips.
• Dense, double flowers: visually close to peonies, but more compact and ideal for smaller gardens or pots.
• Strong colour impact: planted in groups, they create an elegant, almost romantic look.
• Suitable for natural-style gardens: grown with compost, the plant does not need synthetic fertilisers.
• Flexible use: works in perennial borders, raised beds, containers and even small window boxes.

Many retailers report that the knobbly “claws” - as the corms are often described - sell out faster in spring than tulip bulbs used to. Gardeners who have seen the difference in a border usually stick with ranunculus.

Planting Asian ranunculus successfully from March to mid-April

Success depends heavily on timing. In areas with a mild climate, most gardeners start between March and mid-April. The soil should no longer be icy cold, but it should still hold enough moisture.

Step-by-step guide for beginners

At first glance, the corms look like little dried octopuses. With a few simple steps, they can be brought back to life reliably:

1. Soak the corms in lukewarm water for about 12 hours.
2. Prepare loose soil and remove stones and old root remnants.
3. Dig holes roughly 5 centimetres deep.
4. Place the corms with the “fingers” pointing downwards.
5. Cover with soil and press down lightly.
6. Space the plants about 15 centimetres apart.

The plant prefers free-draining, fairly light soil. Heavy clay should be mixed with sand or fine gravel and plenty of well-rotted compost. Waterlogging is the biggest enemy, and in pots especially it can cause the corms to rot in a very short time.

For anyone planting several pots, it is worth using a handful of grit at the base of each one and, if possible, choosing containers with generous drainage holes. That small extra step can make a major difference in wet weather.

Site: bright, but not harsh

Ranunculus is happiest in a bright position that is sunny to partly shaded. Full midday sun on a heated south-facing balcony can be risky, especially if the pots are black and heat up strongly.

For balconies and patios, a drainage layer of expanded clay pellets or gravel at the bottom of the pot is recommended. This allows excess water to escape and keeps the roots healthy.

Care for a lush spring bed

Their water needs fall somewhere between those of tulips and geraniums. The soil must never be bone dry for weeks on end, but constant soaking does just as much harm.

A simple rule works well in everyday gardening: if the top layer of soil feels dry, it is time to water. If it still feels slightly moist, you can wait.

A thin mulch of grass clippings that have been allowed to wilt first, or of fine bark chips, reduces evaporation and protects soil life. In cities in particular, where window boxes are exposed to strong sun and wind, this makes a noticeable difference.

Regular, moderate watering and a thin mulch layer are usually enough to carry the plants through the season in good condition.

Container growers can also move pots to a sheltered spot during prolonged rain or sudden cold spells. That extra flexibility is one reason ranunculus has become so popular on balconies and terraces.

Asian ranunculus as cut flowers - a beautiful indoor display

One bonus tulips do not offer quite so generously: Asian ranunculus is excellent as a cut flower. If you cut the stems as soon as the blooms begin to open, you get dense bouquets with impressive vase life.

At the same time, cutting encourages the plants to form fresh buds. Many gardeners report a genuine “second wave” of flowers that lasts well into early summer.

Overwintering or replanting - how gardeners handle the corms

Whether the corms can stay in the ground depends very much on the region. In mild areas with relatively dry winters, many gardeners leave ranunculus in the bed. The foliage dies back, the corms rest, and the plants sprout again the following year - provided the soil remains free-draining.

In colder regions, especially where long frosty periods coincide with wet soil, many gardeners take a more cautious approach:

• Once the foliage has yellowed, carefully dig up the corms.
• Shake off any soil and dry them in an airy, shaded place.
• Store them in a box of dry sand or sawdust in a cool place.
• Replant them the following spring.

The effort is manageable and similar to looking after dahlia tubers. If storage space is limited, many people simply buy fresh corms again, as ranunculus corms are usually cheaper than high-quality tulip bulbs.

Combinations that work well in the border

Visually, Asian ranunculus looks strongest when it is not planted alone but combined with other spring flowers. Popular companions include:

• forget-me-nots as a blue carpet beneath the colourful pom-poms
• hostas or ornamental grasses for soft, green leaf shapes
• horned violets in matching pastel shades for window boxes
• small box balls or neatly clipped low hedges for a more formal partner

For gardeners who prefer a romantic style, ranunculus works beautifully with delicate white-flowering plants such as baby’s breath or small daisies. In modern, pared-back gardens, it also pairs well with dark foliage plants such as purple sage or black heuchera.

What beginners should know - risks and rewards

One thing still puts some people off: the corms are considered a little more delicate than tough daffodils. Even so, if they are not left sitting in wet soil and are protected from excessive heat, they usually perform very well.

Parents of young children and pet owners should also know that ranunculus, like many buttercup-family plants, is mildly poisonous. It is rarely eaten, but to be safe, pots should be placed where pets cannot constantly nibble at them.

For anyone who enjoys playing with colour and is no longer keen on the brief fireworks of tulips, it is well worth giving ranunculus a try. One or two containers or a small strip in a border are enough to see the difference. Once you have full, dense pom-pom blooms still shining in June while the tulips have already faded, you are unlikely to regret the change.