Trollius 'Lemon Supreme'

Trollius 'Lemon Supreme': Little Lemon Globes for Wet Clay

'Lemon Supreme' is a bowl of lemon drops on a low clump of glossy leaves. Round, clear yellow balls, so many that it looks like a candy shop exploded. SOUR? NEVER. SWEET? ALWAYS.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Trollius europaeus f. compactus 'Lemon Supreme'
• Common Name: Globeflower
• Height: 25–30 cm (10–12 in)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: Rounded, ball-shaped, clear lemon yellow, borne in abundance
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June)
• Foliage: Deep green, glossy and deeply lobed, in a low clump
• Features: Compact, rabbit resistant, good cut flower, tolerates clay and moist soil

Where to Plant: Its short size makes it a great front-of-the-border plant, unlike taller globeflowers that need the middle row. Plant it along a pond edge, in a rain garden, or in a container that's watered regularly. Wet clay that bothers many perennials suits it just fine.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Lemon Supreme' in a moist bed in sun or part shade with red bergenia, dark heuchera and velvety red hibiscus. Bergenia 'Winterglut' opens deep pink to red flowers at 30 to 40 cm in April and May. Heuchera FYRE WING™ 'Hematite' adds dark foliage at 15 cm. Hibiscus 'Blackberry Merlot' brings velvety deep red blooms at 120 to 135 cm from July to September. Molinia 'Moorhexe' grows to 60 to 90 cm in flower with fine dark green blades.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to part shade, in rich soil that stays consistently moist. In hotter, drier spots, give it some afternoon shade and water during dry spells. Globeflowers don't like drying out. Remove spent flower stems after blooming. If the foliage looks ragged by midsummer, shear it back to encourage fresh leaves. Tidy up in late fall or early spring. Divide in early spring or fall every few years to keep the clump vigorous.

History: The European globeflower grows wild from Europe to western Siberia, in damp meadows, pond edges and riverbanks. 'Lemon Supreme' is a compact selection introduced by the German seed house Jelitto Perennial Seeds in 2010.

Final Thoughts: Moist soil, clay, deer and rabbits are no bother. Plant it where the ground stays damp. SUPREME BY NAME, SUPREME BY NATURE.