Some of the most lovely spring flowers, which everyone wants in their bouquets - Anemone and Ranunculus - are tucked in the ground here at Butternut Gardens, hopefully well-protected from the coming winter cold.

The Anemone run the gamut from striking red to red and white bicolor to lovely pastels and more subtle dusky blossoms.

My Ranunculus will cover the absolutely delicious sherbet palette of colors - peach, salmon, orange and pink.

Neither of these bulbs overwinters well without a bit of added protection, so the low tunnels are up! Also called low hoops, short for hoop houses, or caterpillar tunnels, these low hoops will keep the soil at more moderate temperatures, and enable these two fabulous flowers to flourish.

Unrooted Anemone about to be put into a nice cool, moist medium in which to start root growth.

Before I plant either the Anemone or Ranunculus

in the ground, I let them develop a good root

system in a moist medium under more controlled

temperatures. That way I give them a good head

start. They do want to grow.

After a good period of time, you would be amazed

by the wonderful roots that both Anemone and

Ranunculus produce.

I am always amazed by

plants.

Here's a shot of the little octopus-looking

Ranunculus with all of its wonderful white roots

ready to be put into the ground under the low

tunnel.

Into the tunnels they go. Five low tunnels are currently harboring a wonderfully-warm (relatively) climate for all of these beauties. On one recent day, my visiting grand dog, who has helped me all summer with the flowers, decided it was necessary to enter one of the tunnels to inspect for mice and voles. I escorted her out, and thanked her for her loyal efforts! Took out the leaves as well.

Never-ending inspections taking place here!