Red is the wild colour
The wild Ranunculus asiaticus is described as variably red to pink, yellow or white, and the red single flower is the form found in the species itself. The deep, many-layered reds in the shops are selections of that, bred to a heavy double shape. The single wild red is not grown commercially on any scale.
What people mean by red ranunculus
Searches ask what red ranunculus means. The usual answer from flower dictionaries is charm and admiration, while red as a colour adds passion. These are traditions, nothing fixed, so a red bunch can say what you want it to say.
- Scarlet and poppy-red, bright and cheerful.
- Dark red and burgundy, nearly wine-coloured in cool light.
- Picotee types, where a pale edge outlines a darker petal.
Dark reds can look almost black in the shade of an Irish winter afternoon, and then glow when sunlight hits them.
Keeping them fresh
Cut stems are hollow, so recut with a sharp knife and stand them in cool water. Reds show browning faster along the petal rims, so remove any outer petals that bruise. Keep the vase away from heat sources, which shorten the display.
From tuber to flower
Red tubers want sun, drainage and a cool spring. They tolerate light frost but not hard frost, and the real danger in much of Ireland is a cold, wet bed. Pot them early under cover and plant out after the worst weather.
Irritant in the petals and stems
Protoanemonin makes Ranunculus an irritant to the mouth and gut. The ASPCA lists dogs, cats and horses as affected, with vomiting and ulcers among the signs. Keep bouquets out of reach.
