How to Grow Trollius Plants

Guide to Growing Globe flower

Trollius are hardy perennials that range from 15 cm to 90 cm (6 to 36 inches) in height.

The blooming time is species dependent, ranging from early spring through to late in the summer.

When in bloom they generally carry multi petalled flowers of orange or yellow.

Foliage is usually of lobed shaped leaves. A commonly grown member of the Trollius in the garden is Globe Flower.

Trollius europaeus
Trollius europaeus - Globe Flower by echoforsberg.

How to Grow Globe Flower and Other Trollius

It is best to sow Globe flower (and other Trollius) seeds outdoors using fresh seeds in early autumn; sow on the soil surface in peat pots, and sink the pots about 30 to 45 cm apart into the garden in a shady area, keep well watered.

Use a few seeds in each pot as Trollius suffers from poor germination; it may be easier to grow from purchased plants or divisions took from established plants.

The seeds should take from one month to one year to germinate.

Ideally they should grow in a shady part of the garden, they will tolerate sunny areas but keep the soil well moistened, almost boggy if growing in these areas.

Ideally the soil that they grow in will be sligtly acidic to neutral (pH 5 to 7) and humus rich.

Caring for Trollius

When looking after Trollius species such as Globe flowers it is important that the soil they grow in is very moist so keep well watered.

Once they have finished flowering dead head them, this should hopefully result in prolonged blooming of globe flowers.

If you require more plants then propagate by division in either spring or autumn, however, it is important not to do this too frequently, perhaps every three or four years at the most.

Trollius Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Globe flower, Globeflower
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 6 to 36 inches (15—90 cm).
Native: Northern Hemisphere – temperate regions.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 8.
Flowers: Species dependent: Early spring through to late summer.
Flower Details: Yellow, orange, cream, lilac. Single flowers carried on sturdy inflorescence stems. Globe or Buttercup-like.
Foliage: Basel leaves are glossy with deeply divided toothed segments. Small stem leaves.
Sow Outside: Germination time: one to twelve months. Usually grown from divided rootstocks because of poor germination rates. Use fresh seed. Surface. Late summer. Peat pots. Water from below. Transplant to their final location in the autumn. Space at 12 to 18 (30—45 cm).
Sow Inside: No.
Requirements and care: : Full or partial shade. Very moist or boggy soil. Acidic to neutral soil pH 5 to 7. Humus-rich. Regular watering. Deadhead. Propagate: by dividing in the spring in cooler areas or the autumn in warmer areas, about every four or five years.
Family: Ranunculaceae.
Closely Related Species: Aconitum, Adonis, Buttercup, Clematis, Consolida, Eranthis, Helleborus, and Nigella, and Ranunculus.
Miscellaneous: Attracts the Silver-ground Carpet moth (Xanthorhoe montanata) and seed eating flies from the Anthomyiidae family.