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Ranunculus and Freesia Duo

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Exploding with colour and fragrance, the Ranunculi & Freesia Duo Pack is a must-have for a dazzling spring display! Ranunculi captivate with their tall, multi-layered blooms in bold shades of yellow, red, pink, orange, and white, adding striking height and texture to garden beds. Freesias, with their elegant, arching stems and clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers, bring a delightful contrast, filling the air with their sweet citrus fragrance. Their soft, fern-like foliage pairs beautifully with the narrow, upright leaves of Freesias, creating a lush and dynamic display. Thriving in cool to arid climates, Ranunculi flourish in full sun and well-drained soil, while Freesias, suited to cool to subtropical regions, offer excellent versatility, tolerating light shade and naturalising well in the right conditions. Perfect for borders, mass plantings, pots, and cut flower arrangements, this easy-care duo provides weeks of breathtaking blooms, making it a standout addition to any spring garden.

Description

Ranunculi & Freesia Duo Pack – Vibrant Colours and Fragrant Elegance

The Ranunculi & Freesia Duo Pack combines the bold, multi-petaled blooms of Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) with the delicate, fragrant beauty of Freesias (Freesia x hybrida) to create a stunning spring display. These two exceptional plants complement each other beautifully, offering gardeners a mix of vibrant colours and captivating scents. Ideal for beds, borders, or pots, this duo transforms any space into a celebration of springtime charm.

Why Choose This Duo?

  • Ranunculi: Known as Persian Buttercup, these bold flowers produce layered petals in a wide range of hues, including yellow, red, white, pink, and orange. Perfect for mass plantings or pots, Ranunculi thrive in cool to arid climates and make excellent cut flowers.
  • Freesias: Loved for their signature citrus fragrance, Freesias bloom in vibrant shades of white, yellow, pink, and purple. Thriving in cool to subtropical climates, they’re ideal for naturalising, patio containers, or gifting.
  • Versatile Planting Options: Plant them as a mixed display or separate them to create unique combinations in your garden. Both are excellent for cut flowers, with Freesias lasting up to three weeks indoors.

Key Differences

Climate Suitability:

  • Ranunculi: Best for cool to arid climates, including temperate and Mediterranean regions.
  • Freesias: Tolerate a wider range, thriving in cool to subtropical climates and tolerating temperatures as low as 0°C.

Longevity:

  • Ranunculi are often treated as annuals or biennials, as corms weaken over time.
  • Freesias can naturalise, returning year after year in suitable climates.

How to Plant

General Tips for Mixed Displays

Timing: Plant from March onwards for a spring bloom.

Soil: Choose well-drained soil enriched with compost or aged manure. For heavy soils, amend with sand.

Sunlight: Both thrive in full sun, with Freesias tolerating light shade.

Depth and Spacing:

  • Ranunculi: Plant 4 cm deep in cooler climates and 8 cm deep in warmer regions; space 10-15 cm apart.
  • Freesias: Plant 7 cm deep with the pointed end up; space 5-10 cm apart.

Planting in Pots

  • Use containers at least 30 cm wide and deep for both.
  • Fill with high-quality potting mix enriched with compost.
  • Position pots in sunny, sheltered locations.

Care and Maintenance

  • Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Reduce watering as the foliage dies back.
  • Fertilising: Incorporate a slow-release granule fertiliser before planting to support root development, then apply a complete fertiliser around 8–10 weeks after planting, when Freesias need feeding and Ranunculi buds begin to form. If additional nourishment is needed, an optional high-potassium liquid feed can be applied at this stage to enhance flowering.
  • Mulching: Use a light layer of mulch to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.

Aftercare for Ranunculi

  • In cool, dry climates, corms can remain in the ground year-round with a layer of mulch.
  • In humid or frosty regions, lift and store them in a cool, dry place, or treat them as annuals.

Aftercare for Freesias

  • Freesias naturalise well but should be lifted in regions with heavy frosts, high humidity, or wet summers. Store bulbs in a cool, ventilated area.

Pests and Diseases

Both Ranunculi and Freesias may face similar challenges:

  • Pests: Aphids, slugs, snails, and thrips. Prevent infestations with organic barriers or insecticidal soap.
  • Diseases: Ensure proper air circulation and avoid overwatering to prevent fungal issues like powdery mildew or Botrytis blight.

Safety Notes

  • Ranunculi: Non-toxic but may irritate sensitive skin. Wear gloves when handling corms.
  • Freesias: Safe for pets and children, but their fragrance may not suit all sensitivities.

Supplied as dormant bulbs.

Additional information

Price Code

D – Purple Pack

Botanical Name

Ranunculus asiaticus
Freesia x hybrida

Quantity in Pack

40 Bulbs

Flowering Time

Spring

Planting Time

Plant from March onwards

Growing Height

Ranunculi: 40-60 cm
Freesia: 25-35 cm

Planting Depth

Plant Ranunculi corms at a depth of 4 cm in cooler climates or 8 cm in warmer regions. For Freesias, plant corms 7 cm deep.

Soil

Both Ranunculi and Freesia thrive in light, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Enrich poor soils with compost or well-aged manure, but avoid fresh manure, as its high nitrogen content can damage young corms. If your soil retains too much water, improve drainage by incorporating sand, perlite, or well-rotted compost to prevent waterlogging and allow roots to breathe. In heavier soils, amendments will enhance aeration and structure, creating the ideal growing conditions. For pots and containers, use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix enriched with a slow-release fertiliser to support steady growth. By ensuring the right soil conditions, both plants will flourish with strong roots, lush foliage, and vibrant, long-lasting blooms.

How to Plant

Plant Ranunculi and Freesia in full sun, though in warmer climates, they benefit from midday or afternoon shade to prolong their blooms. Choose a sheltered spot to protect from strong winds. Prepare the soil by enriching it with compost or well-aged manure to improve fertility and drainage, and mix in a balanced fertiliser before planting. Soak Ranunculi corms in lukewarm water for an hour to speed up sprouting, then plant them legs down, spacing 15 cm apart at a depth of 4 cm in cooler regions or 8 cm in warmer areas. Plant Freesias 7 cm deep with the pointed end up, spacing them 5–10 cm apart. Water thoroughly after planting, and apply a layer of mulch to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds, ensuring healthy growth and vibrant spring blooms.

Watering

If planting Ranunculi and Freesias together, water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and encourage root establishment. During the growing season, aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, checking the top inch of soil regularly. Water when it feels dry, ensuring both plants have adequate moisture. In containers, more frequent watering will be needed due to faster soil drying, especially in warm weather.

As the plants begin to enter dormancy, signalled by their foliage turning yellow and brown, gradually reduce watering to allow the bulbs and corms to rest. Once fully dormant, keep the soil mostly dry but not completely parched. In warm, dry regions, a light watering every few weeks may be required to prevent the corms and bulbs from drying out completely. Avoid overwatering during dormancy to protect both plants from rot, ensuring healthy growth and blooms for the next season.

Fertilise

For the best results when planting Ranunculi and Freesias together, enrich the soil with a slow-release granule fertiliser before planting to provide steady nutrients. Around 8–10 weeks after planting, apply a complete fertiliser to sustain Freesias and support Ranunculi as their buds form. If additional nourishment is needed, an optional light liquid feed can be applied at this stage to enhance flowering. Avoid over-fertilising, as excess nutrients can lead to weak growth or fewer blooms, ensuring strong, healthy plants with vibrant, long-lasting flowers.

Pruning

Both Ranunculi and Freesias require minimal pruning:
Regularly deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers and maintain a neat appearance.
Allow the foliage to naturally die back and turn yellow before trimming. This process helps the corms store energy for the next growing season.
For Freesias grown as cut flowers, harvest stems when the first flower opens to ensure a longer vase life.

Division

Ranunculi: Often treated as annuals or biennials due to corms weakening after 1–2 years. In cool and dry climates, corms can remain in the ground with protective mulch, but in hot, humid regions, they should be lifted and stored annually to prevent rot.
Freesias: Divide every 3–4 years or when plants become overcrowded to improve flowering. After foliage dies back, gently lift the corms, separate healthy ones, and discard any damaged or rotted corms.

For both plants in regions with heavy frosts, high humidity, or wet summers, lift and store corms annually in a cool, dry, and ventilated place, ensuring they’re ready for the next season.

Alternatively, you can treat these as annuals, replacing them each year or when you choose to refresh your stock.

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