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: Baptisia Decadence® 'Blueberry Sundae' grows to 90 cm with blue flowers in June and July, picking up as the lemon globes finish. Filipendula 'Elegans' adds pink plumes at 45 to 75 cm from June to August, a good match for moist soil. Persicaria 'Dimity' forms a 15 to 20 cm groundcover with pink spikes from June to September. All three like full sun to partial sun.

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.