You must have been in the same store as me, because I came home with both. These are some of my favorite cut flowers and I'm determined to get them to bloom this year, despote being unsuccessful in the past.
Here's what I know about them.
They are both perennials in your zone, but no farther north, and here's the kicker (for both of us). They are frost intolerant, want full sun, and are cool weather bloomers, excessive heat causes them to die back.
Freesia are the anti-tulip. They are native to Africa. They die back in the hot Dry summer months, and need that hot dry (over 80F) dormant period before they will grow back and bloom in the wetter cooler (60-75 ) winter. I've read they take ~3 months to go from first sprout to bloom, and that the blooms will drop if exposed to consistent temps over 80. You could have planted these in the fall for spring blooms where you are. I'm going to assume any bulbs (actually corms) for sale now are ready to bloom, in that they've gone through the mandatory hot dry spell.
I know less about ranunculus, Except that they are also intolerant of both excessive cold and heat. The only time I've ever had luck with them is when I bought plants already in bud in May, because in NY they can't go outside before that, and once it gets hot in late June they die back. So when I've planted the corms outdoors after the danger of frost, by the time they are big enough to bloom it's too hot for them to do so.
Problem is it seems like It's nearly impossible for me to get these to bloom outdoors, since they're supposed to be planted after danger of Frost (Mid May) But they take 3 months to bloom, at which point it's too hot, especially in full sun.
I'm also looking for tips on growing these. Since they should be perennial in your zone, It's not the end of the world if it gets hot before they bloom, because they should grow back again when the weather mellows. In NY they'll freeze, so I think my only solution is to start them in pots indoors now them move them outside in Spring. I've also heard people start freesia outdoors in pots in August/September, then bring them in when nights get into 40s and they will bloom indoors if you provide supplemental light.
Anyone who has had success, please let us know all the information you can: your zone (or city & state)time of year you planted, how long till sprouts, how long till blooms, sun exposure, if they were or were not perennial etc.
