Ranunculus 'Amandine White' – Persian Buttercup

Ranunculus corms need a little coaxing but reward the effort. Soak the dried corms in cool water for 3–4 hours before planting — they'll plump up visibly. For strongest results, pre-sprout them by nestling the soaked corms into moist compost in a tray and keeping them cool (around 10 °C) for 10–14 days, until tiny white roots and shoots appear. Plant out claws facing down, 5 cm deep and 15–20 cm apart, in a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. In the Baltic climate, corms cannot tolerate temperatures much below –4 °C, so early plantings benefit from the protection of a polytunnel, cold frame, or fleece on frosty nights. Amandine is more heat-tolerant than most ranunculus, extending the harvest into early summer.

Cut when the buds feel like soft marshmallows — squeezy and coloured, but not yet fully open. Harvested at this stage, stems hold 7–12 days in the vase as the blooms slowly unfurl. Flowers cut fully open are more delicate and last around a week. Change the water every two days. A florist staple for spring weddings, Amandine pairs beautifully with anemones, tulips, and soft ferny foliage.