Trollius x cultorum or Globeflower is a striking, cool weather perennial with ball-shaped, yellow or orange flowers. It is native to damp areas of northern Europe and in North Carolina is only suitable for gardens located in the mountains. As the summer progresses, the plant may show a decline. Cutting the foliage back as the foliage declines will give your garden a neater appearance. Divide clumps in the late summer to early fall. The flowers are bowl-shaped with a dominant central section of upright petal-like sepals. They are said to resemble double buttercups. Performing at its best in damp environments, it makes a nice addition to a moist rock garden beside a stream or a wildflower garden near a pond. This species is an artificial hybrid. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant will not do well in the summer heat of the south. Can experience issues with powdery mildew.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheBuddleja Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip Jr.'Iris sibiricax Heucherella
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The glossy basal leaves can reach lengths of up to 7". They are divided into toothed segments. The stem leaves are considerably smaller.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flowers are typically solitary, and range from 1" to 2.5" across.
Bloom time
Spring
Stem detail
The 2' to 3' stems are sturdy.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe
Distribution
Mountains
Wildlife value
This plant attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.