What do I do with Poppy Anemones and Ranunculus?

I picked up a whole bunch of these last fall at the nursery sales (which is weird because I thought these were not hardy here in my zone 5). But, anyway, I stored them in the basement all winter as I read not plant the here in my zone. I went to open them up the other day, and they look great. So, now what do I do with them? I know I should have been wondering this when I bought them, but I couldn't pass up the prices, $.5 each! I may have jumped the gun here. They have both soaked for 24 hours now. They are sitting in 4" pots in soil. Did I do this too early? My last frost is May 15th. When is it safe to set these out in the beds? Please don't tell me they needed a chilling period like my other bulbs did!!!!

Thanks!

StvNicksFan,
I did the same thing with the poppy anemonies (but not the ranunculus)....potted them up a month or two early....left them in the house in a cooler area....once the hard freeze time was past and the garden decently thawed, I planted them out...they were terriffic! Gorgeous blooms until the very hottest of the summer then they pooped out a bit and revived some in the fall....some even stayed around this winter with some greenish bits showing through...I won't know for a few months if they actually survived/overwintered) in this solidly zone 5 garden. If not, I have a whole bunch more in their pots....
Good luck!

I love ranuculous, sometimes called Giant Buttercups although the ranuculous come in many colors, not just yellow. You do not need a chilling period for them. You will need to lift them each Fall before the last frost in our zones. I think starting them up in pots now is a great idea but not necessary. They bloom late June to August. Check plant files for pictures and details. Next year you can just put them in the ground after the last frost and they'll come up fast and full.

Megan

Thanks for the advice everyome. I wanted to get a head start on the Buttercups as I read they they do not like heat and intense sun, which is all I get in the summer. I am looking forward to them however. They are now out of the soil, about an 1" tall. Do they take frost or cold temps at all??? My last frost is May 15th. Would they be OK to go out earlier???

Thanks,
James

Esw and Megan are right. In the fall, I dug them (ranunc.) up and stored them as any bulb, and replanted in the spring. I usually put my Mom's out after the last frost. I love them!

Wait until after the last frost or you'll lose them. Good luck!!!

Great, thanks guys. They sure do grow fast once they are up and going! I hope they don't get too big by May 15th!

James