From bulb to vase in 4 months - easy!

There’s something pretty special about popping a few corms into the soil and imagining the blooms that’ll greet you in a few months. This week (late May), I planted anemones and ranunculus in my garden—and I thought I’d share a few quick tips if you’re keen to try them too.

🌸 First up, the basics:

Both anemones and ranunculus grow from corms (kind of like bulbs), and autumn is the perfect time to get them in the ground. You’ll want a sunny spot with good drainage—and a little bit of patience.

🌱 Planting:

Pop them in with the claw side down (that’s for ranunculus), or pointy side down for anemones, about 3 -5cm deep and spaced out nicely so they don’t have to fight for space. I use a stick to poke a hole and then pop them in and sprinkle dirt over afterwards - working from one side of the garden bed to the other so I don’t forget where I am up to. Cover them up and let nature do its thing.

💧 Care:

Water them in, then mostly leave them be. I water sparingly—overwatering is a fast track to rot. Once they start growing, a liquid seaweed feed every couple of weeks can give them a boost, or forget all about them and do absloutely nothing until they are blooming and ready to pick (that’s what I do).

💐 The payoff:

Come spring, you’ll (hopefully) have stunning blooms perfect for picking. They’re great for vases and even better for admiring while you sip your morning coffee.

If you’re even a little tempted, give them a go! They’re surprisingly forgiving and the payoff is so worth it.

You can buy bulbs in packs from Bunnings and plant centres.