Successful Trollius
Sunshine Requirements
This plant does best in a semi-shaded area – think part shade or protection from the hot noon sunshine. Full hot sun will bleach out the leaves and shorten the blooming time. The further south you garden, the more shade is recommended.
It will take full sunshine if not allowed to dry out. Dry it out in the full sun and you’re looking at one unhappy plant.
Globeflower Flowering
Trollius species have wonderful yellow flowers that brighten up any part shady garden. Some species have bloomed in July in my garden and I’ve seen first year plants that bloom in September in other gardens.
On average while the first year plantings may be late, consider this to be an early to mid-summer bloomer.
Some gardeners say they get reblooms from this plant but so far this has escaped me. I simply deadhead the spent flowers (taking the stems off as far down as I can prune) when they are done.
Trollius Watering
Damp soils. Do not let this plant dry out in the heat of the summer. But, just to make life interesting do not let it sit in standing water (particularly over the winter) either.
A rich organic soil with organic matter to hold adequate moisture is the best way to grow this plant successfully.
It will grow happily in a damp clay soil. (here’s a plant for those with clay soils)
Concerns
This is a poisonous plant to humans and domestic animals.
But several caterpillars use this plant as a food source (there’s something for everyone).
Leaves
The leaves resemble those of the perennial geranium but do not have the fall reddish tones of this plant.
Propagation
Trollius grows quite easily from seed if you stratify the seed (give it 40F for 90 days) in damp cool conditions or sow it outside in the garden.
The roots also divide quite easily first thing in the spring.
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