Trollius europaeus

Trollius europaeus (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Ranunculaceae

Trollius europaeus Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Trollius europaeus is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its dark green leaves are rounded, palmate, deeply lobed with up to 5 segments, serrate margins and up to 7cm across. Its yellow flowers are bowl shaped, up to 45mm across and appear terminally on short stems above the leaves.

Trollius europaeus, commonly known as the Globeflower, is native to Europe (including the UK) and west Asia. In its native habitat it grows in damp pastures, scrub and woodland.

Trollius europaeus Leaf (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Trollius is derived from the German/ Swiss name for this plant trollblume meaning ‘Troll Flower’. Europaeus is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Europe’.

The landscape architect may find Trollius europaeus useful in damp to boggy soils as a native flowering perennial. This perennial is not attractive to rabbits. Care should be take when locating this plant as its leaves may cause skin irritation.

Ecologically, Trollius europaeus flowers are attractive to pollinating flies. Its foliage is attractive to the larvae of some moths and butterflies.

Trollius europaeus prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It is tolerant of wet soils.

Trollius europaeus requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided after flowering.