Globe flower: location, winter hardiness & toxicity

Some know the globe flower under its common name – buttercup. With its golden yellow and buttery shiny petals in a spherical shape, this pretty perennial is an asset to any garden.

The globe flower genus (Trollius) includes about 30 species, of which we’ll introduce you to the most beautiful and well-known, such as the Chinese (Trollius chinensis) and European globe flowers (Trollius europaeus). In addition, you will learn more about the characteristics, location and care of the protected globeflower.

Globe flower: flowering time, origin and properties

In addition to buttercup, other synonyms for the globe flower include butterball, butter rose, goldhead, globe ranunculus, or viper’s button. This perennial, herbaceous plant belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It owes its name to its spherical, globe-shaped flowers.

The only species of the genus native to Europe is the European globe flower. The home of the other species lies in the temperate and colder zones of the northern hemisphere, mostly in Asia. Due to the decline in wild populations, globe flowers are classified as endangered and are a protected species.

Because of its brilliant flowers, the slightly poisonous globe flower is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens. However, naturally occurring specimens must not be removed for this purpose, but must be purchased commercially. The hermaphroditic individual flowers sit on the end of stems and consist of 10 to 15 tepals that cannot be divided into sepals or petals In addition, the flowers have several nectaries, which provide valuable food for insects. With a good pollen and nectar supply, the native European globe flower plays a particularly important role. In terms of colour, the flowers vary from yellow to orange to white and other shades depending on the species and cultivation.

Globe flowers can reach a height of between 20 and 80 cm, depending on the species. The erect stems of this herbaceous plant are alternate with a few finger-shaped leaves, which are very typical of buttercups in appearance. Underground, the deciduous perennial forms a rhizome as a storage organ.

When does the globe flower bloom? The flowering time of the buttercup is usually from May to June.

What is the difference between the globe flower and marsh marigold? Both plants are often called buttercups and come from the Ranunculaceae family, which is why they look similar. The biggest external difference between the globe flower and marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) is probably that the leaves of marsh marigold resemble the shape of a kidney. They are also thicker, up to 15 cm in diameter and slightly toothed. In addition, the petals of marsh marigolds are more open and do not have a spherical shape. The flower of the globe flower has the shape of a ranunculus.

The most beautiful species and varieties

The different types and varieties of the globe flower differ in their growth height, flower shape and colour and flowering time, among other things. The most beautiful and popular of these are presented below.

European globe flower (Trollius europaeus)

In Germany, the slightly poisonous European globeflower is mainly found in the low mountain ranges, including the foothills of the Alps. The species is common in moist to wet pastures and meadows in full sun. Soils at these sites are more or less neutral, as well as moderately nutritious. Trollius europaeus reaches a height of about 60 cm and the spherical, dense double flowers appear from mid-April to late May in a bright yellow. The species is ideally suited for naturalistic use in once- to twice-a-year wetland beds, marsh meadows, and stream banks. With intensive care, cultivation on fresh soil can also be considered.

• Trollius europaeus ˈSuperbusˈ: this somewhat more vigorous variety produces larger flowers.

Dwarf globe flower (Trollius pumilus)

Dwarf globe flower, also called dwarf Himalayan globe flower, together with its golden yellow flowers reaches about 20 cm in height. The flowering period extends from June to July. The optimal location is in full sun to light partial shade in lime-free, well-drained, fresh to moist soil. When planting this globeflower, ensure a planting distance of 30 cm.

Asian globe flower (Trollius asiaticus)

Asian globe flower is common in sunny wet meadows and soggy alpine mountain meadows with moderately nutritious, humus-rich soils. Its yellow-orange, semi-double, spherical flowers appear from early May to late June. It can reach heights of 50 to 70 cm. This light-loving species does well in permanently fresh, deep soils. At best, these should also be loamy-humic, moderately rich in nitrogen and rich in bases. The Asian globeflower is not easy to get hold of – the Chinese globe flower is usually preferred.

Chinese globe flower (Trollius chinensis)

The natural habitat of the Chinese globe flower is mainly along mountain streams or in grazed meadows in full sun to sunny locations. More or less neutral and moderately nutrient to nutritious soils are preferred. The flowering period of the species extends from the beginning of June to the end of July. A characteristic feature of Trollius chinensis is the elongated honey petals on the bright orange flowers – giving it a slightly exotic appearance. Its growth height is between 60 and 80 cm. Suitable areas of application for the species include permanently fresh to damp meadows, borders or the edges of water. To increase competition, the soil should not be too nutritious and be in full sun to light partial shade.

• Trollius chinensis ˈGolden Queenˈ: the flowers of this variety are a bright orange-yellow colour. In addition, it has little remontant behaviour.

Garden globe flower (Trollius x cultorum)

This species is a purely cultivated form, usually involving the Chinese or European globe flower. The height of growth varies depending on the variety and ranges from 50 to 80 cm. The flower colour and flowering time of globe flowers of this species also differ slightly from each other. Light-demanding garden globe flowers do well in permanently fresh to moist borders in sunny locations. Soil should not be too nutritious and more or less neutral. In addition, cultivation is also possible in heavier substrates. Furthermore, this species is well suited for use as a cut flower.

• Trollius x cultorum ˈEarliest of Allˈ: is the variety which blooms earliest in the year. Their bright orange flower cups stand out from April to May. ˈEarliest of Allˈ reaches a growing height of 50 to 60 cm.
• Trollius x cultorum ˈAlabasterˈ: the yellowish-white petals of this attractive variety have tips tinged with green. The flowering period extends from June to July and the growth height is around 50 cm.

• Trollius x cultorum ˈLemon Queenˈ: as the name suggests, this variety displays lemon yellow flowers from May to June, which are tightly closed and about 5 – 6 cm in size. ˈLemon Queenˈ grows between 60 and 70 cm tall.
• Trollius x cultorum ˈBaudirector Linneˈ: from May to June, this cultivar bears large, bright orange globe flowers. The variant reaches a height of 50 cm.

• Trollius x cultorum ˈOrange Globeˈ: the orange-yellow, spherical flowers of this 60-80 cm tall, historic cultivar were once especially popular in floriculture. From May to June, the strongly branched flower stems can be cut almost every day.

Planting globe flowers: location and procedure

The location of the globe flower should generally be fresh, moist to wet, as well as moderately nutritious and located in full sun or sunny to at least light partial shade. In intensively cultivated beds, it is also possible to grow globe flowers in fresh soil – however, it has to be watered occasionally and there should be no strong competitive pressure. As mentioned in the species descriptions, globe flowers feel comfortable in wet open spaces and on wet water banks, among other places.

Globe flowers can be planted in the garden all year around. Care should be taken to ensure a good water supply. They are best planted in smaller groups of 3 to 10 plants with a spacing of 35 cm.

Sowing globe flower: Since the globeflower is a cold germinator, the seeds of the buttercup can be sown in the open ground immediately after maturity. Thus, they experience a natural cold stimulus in winter and dormancy is interrupted. If the globe flower is sown in containers, they must be kept moist and left outside to achieve the necessary cold stimulus of – 7 °C. An easier way to propagate buttercups is by dividing the plant after flowering.

The right care

Since the globe flower requires only moderately nutrient-rich soil, one-time fertilisation in the spring is quite sufficient. Our Plantura Flower Food, which is a slow-release fertiliser releases its nutrients over several months and thus ensures a sustainable supply of nutrients, is very suitable for this purpose. The high content of organic source materials also supports an active and healthy soil.

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When caring for the globe flower, it is also important to ensure that the soil is always moist. On hot summer days, you will often have to use a watering can, especially in a sunny location. Otherwise, the perennials may suffer significant damage, for example, due to competitive pressure from other plants.

Pruning close to the ground after flowering can, in most cases, stimulate repeat flowering in August or September. Remontant behaviour varies depending on the species and variety.

Are globe flowers hardy?

Globe flowers are classified in winter hardiness zone Z5 and thus withstand temperatures down to about – 28 °C. Therefore, additional protection is usually not necessary. However, if a harsh winter with extreme sub-zero temperatures is coming, it is quite useful to cover the plants with some mulch, brushwood or even fleece.

Are globe flowers poisonous?

The sap of the buttercup is slightly toxic and can thus because mild symptoms of poisoning such as gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhoea or general pain in humans and animals if large quantities of any part of the plant are consumed. In sensitive people, allergic reactions or irritations can even occur upon skin contact.

The winter aconite is a rhizome-forming plant with similar bright yellow flowers. This flower also belongs to the buttercup family and is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring.