Trollius

( TROLL - ee - us )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering herbaceous plants includes species commonly known as Globeflower or Trollblume. Species are native to cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere (mostly in Asia), and require full sun to partial shade and moderate water to perform well in the landscape. These bushy plants are closely related to Ranunculus, and are unique in that they grow well in heavy, wet clay soils. Use Trollius in mixed beds and borders, along streambeds or close to water features, or as members of pollinator, cut flower, or informal gardens. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as they are toxic to cattle and other livestock species.

Trollius Species and Varietals

The genus Trollius is a member of the plant family Ranunculaceae, and includes around 30 distinct species. The best growing zones for Trollius vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Trollius altiacus (Altai Globeflower)
Native to an area that spans from central Asia east to Japan and Sakhalin, these rounded shrubby plants are typically found in wet, depressed areas in valleys. They produce green, palmately divided foliage with toothed margins. At maturity, these flowers can reach up to between 8 and 30 inches tall. Flowers are 1-2 inches in diameter and range in color from golden yellow to orange.

Trollius asiaticus (Asian Globeflower)
This species is native to Asia and Europe, where it grows in wet areas in grasslands and forests. Individual plants typically reach up to over 8 inches tall. Foliage is green and 1.5 inch flowers range in color from golden yellow to orange.

Trollius chinensis (Chinese Globeflower)
This species is native to an area that ranges from southern Siberia through northern China, and produces green foliage. It takes a bushy form and blooms in spring and summertime. Flowers are orange and bloom on stems that rise above foliage. Individual plants reach up to 2-3 feet tall and 18-24 inches wide. Cultivar 'Golden Queen' is a choice garden ornamental.

Trollius x cultorum (Hybrid Globeflower)
This group of hybrids includes crosses of various Trollius species, and most grow to reach 24 inches tall. They bear showy double flowers up to 2.5 inches across and come in a variety of colors including shades of cream, yellow, and orange. Cultivars include 'Superbus', 'Orange Princess', 'Alabaster', 'Lemon Queen', and 'New Moon'.

Trollius europaeus (Globeflower, Globe Flower, European Globe Flower)
This species of Trollius is native to Europe and Western Asia. It is a protected species in some areas of its natural range. Plants reach up to 24 inches tall when mature and in bloom, and produce bright yellow to golden yellow flowers in spring and summertime.

Trollius laxus (American Globeflower, American Spreading Globeflower)
Plants in this rare species are native to North America, and have been split into two sub-species, one representing the west and the other more common in the east. It is considered an endangered species due to habitat loss, threatened by the ever-changing hydrology of their native landscapes. Flowers are yellow and showy. Foliage is green and toothed.

Trollius yunnanensis (Yunnan Globeflower)
This species is native to southern China and northern Myanmar, where it grows in grassy slopes and wet meadows. It is commonly used as a garden ornamental, reaching over 30 inches tall when in bloom. Flowering stems are topped with golden yellow flowers from June through September in the plant's native range.

Caring for Trollius

Trollius plants can be grown from seed or purchased as starts or specimens from a reputable nursery. The do best when planted in full sun to partial shade; ideally, they like to get between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day with some shelter from direct rays in the late afternoon. They prefer deep, fertile, well-draining soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, most species appreciate consistent moisture around their roots, though the hybrid group Trollius x cultorum includes plants that can take a little drier substrate.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Trim back any dead, damaged or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. After blooming ceases for the year, cut back all foliage. If plants seem to be struggling after a few years in the ground, they may need to be divided. To successfully divide Globeflowers, follow the instructions in the Propagation section below.

Propagation

Trollius, or Globeflower, can be propagated by division, cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division or cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Globeflowers, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Trollius by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Trollius by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Trollius by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.