Giant Tecolote Ranunculus

I’m really excited to introduce my first guest photographer–my sister! Christin lives in Southern California and every year takes her daughters to The Flower Fields® in Carlsbad, California to see the “50 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus” when they’re in bloom. I begged her to take photos and send them to me so I could share them here on the blog and she kindly obliged. Thank you, Christin!
Ranunculus are often confused with roses, and understandably so, as the large, crepe paper-like flowers can resemble a rose in full bloom. As a point of fact, I once read that ranunculus were very popular in Europe, considered the flower, before roses took over that distinction (thank you Empress Joséphine).  This strain of ranunculus, the Giant Tecolote, was originally a single-petaled flower until Edwin Frazee of California carefully bred in the double form.
Here are some basic growing tips: Ranunculus, or officially Ranunculus asiaticus, are cool-season bloomers that prefer warmer climates, like the south-west, and it’s probably best to treat them as annuals unless you are ambitious enough to lift and store the tubers over winter. They prefer full sun and soil that has been amended well with organic material and sharp sand and must be very well-drained (they do not tolerate “wet feet”). Their root system is deep and large so if planting them in a container, make sure to provide them enough growing space. Fertilize every couple of weeks or so and feel free to snip those blossoms because doing so will only encourage them to produce more. Ready to buy? The Flower Fields® does sell their Giant Tecolote strain HERE for those of us not fortunate enough to visit in person.