Trollius pumilus

Trollius pumilus (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 25cm

Eventual Spread: 40cm

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

Family: Ranunculaceae

Trollius pumilus is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its dark green leaves are rounded, palmate, deeply lobed with up to 7 segments and up to 7cm across. Its yellow flowers are bowl shaped, up to 4cm across and appear terminally on short stems above the leaves.

Trollius pumilus, commonly known as the Dwarf Globeflower, is native to central and south west China. In its native habitat it grows in marshes and alpine grassland.

Trollius pumilus Flower (18/05/2013, 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’. Pumilus is from the Latin meaning ‘dwarf’.

The landscape architect may find Trollius pumilus useful in damp to wet soils as a late spring flowering perennial. This perennial is not attractive to rabbits.

Ecologically, Trollius pumilus flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Trollius pumilus Leaf (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

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

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