With their globe-shaped, bright yellow or orange flowers, globeflowers (Trollius) are sure to stand out. The more than 30 species grow in the temperate and colder zones of the northern hemisphere, most are native to Asia. The loss of their native wetland habitat has led to a decline in globeflower populations in the wild, namely of the European and North American species.
The size of the plants varies depending on the species. What they all have in common is that the elegant buttercup flowers rise on erect stems above the foliage of deeply divided leaves. The underground rhizomes often take their time getting established.
Globeflowers are easy to grow and produce a wealth of blossoms in late spring and early summer. The flowers hold up well on the plant or in a vase. In addition to their good looks, globeflowers are also valuable for providing food for hungry pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Like all members of the buttercup family, globeflower is toxic to humans and pets.
Globeflower Overview
Where to Plant Globeflower
Plant globeflowers in full sun or partial shade where their golden-yellow blooms shine in the sun. To give them the required consistent soil moisture, plant them along the edges of ponds and water gardens, in a rain garden, damp woodland, or any boggy area. Globeflowers grow in a wide pH spectrum from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil.
Mass plantings have the most striking effect. Another option is to use them strategically to contrast them with other perennials that also thrive in consistently moist soil, such as Japanese iris or spiderwort.
How and When to Plant Globeflower
Potted plants from a nursery are planted in the spring or fall. Dig a hole that is about twice as wide as the root system and has the same depth. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with the original soil. Gently tamp it down and water it well.
Depending on the mature size of the variety, space plants 14 to 24 inches apart.
Globeflower Care Tips
To cut down on the amount of care, plant globeflower only where the soil is naturally moist. Other than requiring consistent moisture, it is a low-maintenance plant.
Light
Different globeflower varieties have different light requirements from full sun to partial shade so be sure to do your research before planting. When picking a location, also keep in mind that the soil in full sun locations dries out fast in hot summer weather, which is detrimental to growing the moisture-loving globeflower (unless you are prepared to water regularly).
Soil and Water
The soil should be rich in organic matter and, most importantly, moist. If there's one thing you need to know before you plant globeflowers, it's that these charmers need moist soil to thrive. Globeflower is adaptable to a pH range between 6.0 and 8.0.
To preserve soil moisture, apply 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch such as shredded wood, pine needles, or cocoa hulls around the base of the plants after the soil warms in spring.
Temperature and Humidity
Globeflowers are native to temperate climates with cold winters and cool summers. They aren't well suited to hot, humid southern climates or the dry, arid conditions in the American West.
Fertilizer
Globeflowers don’t require a lot of fertilizer. At the most, feed them a granular all-purpose fertilizer for blooming ornamentals such as a 5-10-5, in the spring. Alternatively, scatter a 2-inch layer of compost around the plants in the springtime.
Pruning
After the bloom, the plants may start to lose their vigor. Cutting back the flower stalks and some of the unsightly foliage tidies them up and may encourage another flush of flowers.
Potting and Repotting Globeflower
Growing globeflower in pots is not ideal because the boggy conditions in which the plants thrive are difficult to achieve in containers, even with frequent watering.
Pests and Problems
Globeflowers are rarely affected by serious pests or diseases. The most common issue is powdery mildew, which is primarily an aesthetic bother. Removing affected foliage as part of the fall cleanup helps to prevent the plant from getting reinfected the next year.
How to Propagate Globeflower
While propagation from seed is possible, the process may take several seasons including a specific cycle of cold stratification. Division of a mature plant is a more reliable propagation method. In late summer or early fall, dig up the entire clump of rhizomes and divide it into smaller sections. Replant them at the same depth as the original plant and keep the soil evenly moist until freezing winter weather sets in.
Types of Globeflower
Trollius europaeus
The European globeflower has egg-yolk or lemon-yellow, showy flowers between June and August. It is native to northern and central Europe and western Asia where it grows in damp, shady areas, wet pastures, and woodland. The plant does not tolerate hot weather. A popular cultivar is 'Superbus' with a mature height of 18 to 24 inches and a spread of 18 to 20 inches. Zone 3-7
Trollius laxus
The American globeflower is an endangered native species of globeflower due to the disappearance of its natural habitat. It used to grow in swamps and bogs in the northeastern United States and in the high-mountain to subalpine bogs of the Rocky Mountains. The flowers on 5- to 20-inch plants are yellow or cream-colored. The American globeflower blooms in mid-April, often emerging and flowering before most of the other bog plants appear. Zone 5-8
Trollius chinensis ‘Golden Queen’
This cultivar of the Chinese globeflower produces 2- to 3-inch wide, golden-orange, bowl-shaped flowers from late spring into midsummer. The striking flowers stand in stark contrast against the dark green foliage of the plants that reach 2 to 3 feet in height. Zone 3-7
‘Lemon Queen’
This hybrid (Trollius x cultorum) is a compact, clump-forming variety that grows well even in wet clay soils. Its abundance of double, bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers forms a stunning contrast with the deeply dissected, dark green foliage. It grows 18 to 24 in. tall and wide and flowers from late spring into early summer. Zone 4-8
Globeflower Companion Plants
Ligularia
With its giant, coarse-textured leaves, ligularia stands out in a shade garden even when it’s not in bloom. The leaves are sometimes triangular, sometimes kidney-shaped, and tend to be toothed around the edges. As they emerge, the leaves of many ligularia varieties develop a rich burgundy color that may remain throughout the season or fade to a deep green. The bright golden flowers in summer and fall are either tall stalks with several small flowers reminiscent of bottlebrush or loose stalks of larger, daisy-like blossoms. Zone 4-9
Astilbe
The fern-like foliage and feathery plumed blossoms of astilbe add wonderful texture and color to a landscape. In spring, new foliage often emerges bright green with blushes of bronze. These finely textured mounds of foliage stay compact with no training needed. Come summer, they're topped with fantastic feathery spikes of tiny flowers in shades of pinks, reds, purples, and whites. Zone 4-8
Turtlehead
This native wildflower grows exceptionally well in moist, shady soils and puts on an impressive display of blooms in late summer to fall. Even when not in bloom, turtlehead has striking leathery, green foliage that quickly fills in a shady spot and adds a complementary backdrop to neighboring plants. Turtlehead is right at home in a woodland setting and spreads slowly but surely to create dense clumps of plants. Zone 3-9
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do globeflowers spread?The plants spread and fill a space of up to 2 feet depending on the variety. They don't spread beyond their designated spot or in an uncontrollable way.
The plants spread and fill a space of up to 2 feet depending on the variety. They don't spread beyond their designated spot or in an uncontrollable way.
- Where to globeflowers grow?Globeflowers naturally grow in moist, boggy conditions. Unfortunately, their numbers in the wild have declined but if you provide suitable moist conditions, you can make them thrive in your yard.
Globeflowers naturally grow in moist, boggy conditions. Unfortunately, their numbers in the wild have declined but if you provide suitable moist conditions, you can make them thrive in your yard.