Gro 'n Sell
Trollius (32)
We have a wet part of our perennial field that grows reallllly big buttercups. So I decided to plant some buttercups with cutting potential! It worked. Trollius is in the Ranunculus family and it shows. They grow more than knee tall in our field, and offer masses of flowers that hold very well when cut. Golden Queen is a show stopper, and the more subtle 'New Moon' will blend beautifully with the most sophisticated color palettes. They bloom around the same time as peonies and geum and are fun for those late spring bouquets.
They will tolerate partial shade and prefer moist soil. They are probably best grown in the upper half of the US as they naturally come from cold regions.
About Tray Sizes (please read)
210 and 125 cell trays are full-sized trays, and three of these will fit in a shipping box.
50 cell trays are half-sized trays (unless otherwise noted) and two of these are the equivalent of one full sized tray. Six of these will fit in a shipping box. These trays are long and skinny. (Think hotdogs). There are not compatible with 25 cell half trays. Scoop scabiosa, veronica, solidago, gypsophila, hypericum, herbs, some tweedia, and others are grown in the 50 cell tray.
25 cell half trays are also half-sized trays, but they are short and square. (Think hamburgers). These are not compatible with 50 cell half trays. Limonium and astrantia are grown in this tray.
Gerberas are also grown in a 25 cell half tray, but are tall that the others, and FOUR of these half trays of gerberas fills a box.
18 and 32 cell trays are full sized trays specifically for our vernalized perennials. These have their own set of shipping rules (find details HERE) and cannot be combined with items grown in 210, 125, or 50 cell trays.
Growing Guides
Click here to access all of our comprehensive growing guides.
| Common Name | Globeflower |
| Genus | Trollius |
| Species | T. chinensis 'Golden Queen'; T. x cultorum 'New Moon' |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Format | Perennial Plugs |
| Plug Care | Transplant young plants promptly to prevent them from becoming root-bound. Ensure consistent moisture during establishment. |
| Netting / Staking | Generally not required, as plants have sturdy stems. |
| Temperature Range | Hardy in USDA zones 3-7. Prefers cooler climates and may not thrive in hot, dry conditions. |
| Spacing | Space plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for mature growth. |
| Soil Preference | Prefers deep, fertile, consistently moist to boggy soils; does not tolerate drying out. Suitable for average, clay, or rich soils. |
| Day Length | Not day-length sensitive; prefers full sun to partial shade. |
| Pinching | Not necessary. |
| When to Plant | Plant in spring after the last frost or in early fall to allow establishment before winter. |
| Harvesting | For cut flowers, harvest when buds are starting to unfurl but preferably before blooms are fully open for the longest vase life. |
| Post Harvest Care | Place cut stems in water immediately after harvesting. Store out of direct sunlight, in a cooler preferably. Use a floral conditioner for maximum vase life. |
| Diseases / Insects | Generally pest-free; may be susceptible to powdery mildew. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to minimize risk. |
| Bailey's Notes |
Trollius are ideal for damp garden spaces, including pond edges and bog gardens, where their vibrant blooms thrive in consistently moist soil. These perennials may take a couple of years to establish fully but are well worth the wait. Both Trollius chinensis 'Golden Queen,' with its golden-orange, bowl-shaped flowers, and Trollius × cultorum 'New Moon,' showcasing delicate pale-yellow blooms, add style to garden beds, borders, cottage gardens, and rain gardens and have a long vase life to boot. Deadheading spent blooms encourages continuous flowering, while cutting back stems after the first flush can prompt a second wave of blossoms. Dividing clumps in early spring or right after flowering helps maintain plant vigor. To ensure healthy growth, keep the soil consistently moist, enrich it with organic matter, and monitor for powdery mildew in humid conditions. If you have wild buttercups growing naturally in your plot or adjacent area, these cultivars will likely thrive. |
| Resources |
North Carolina Extension Gardener Toolbox - Trollius cultorum and related species |