Globeflower 'Alabaster' Trollius × cultorum 'Alabaster'
ABOUT
a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial to 60cm, with deeply divided basal leaves and long stems bearingvery pale yellow, bowl-shapedflowers5cm across in md- to late spring
About this plant
- Names
Family
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Globe Flower, Trollius 'Alabaster'
Common names
Trollius × cultorum 'Alabaster'.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Creamy-white
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Hybrid
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: The Trollius × cultorum 'Alabaster', commonly known as Globe Flower, features beautiful creamy white flowers that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Attracts Pollinators: The plant attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting local biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: Globe Flower is easy to care for and does not require extensive gardening expertise, making it suitable for novice gardeners.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it has moderate drought resistance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Cold Hardy: It is well-suited to cooler climates and can survive harsh winters, making it a robust perennial for many regions.
- Soil Versatility: Tolerates a range of soil conditions, although it prefers moist, well-drained soil.
- Erosion Control: The plant can help in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion in certain settings due to its clumping growth habit.
- Borders and Beds: Ideal for incorporating into perennial borders, cottage gardens, or waterside plantings given its size and form.
- Cut Flowers: The blossoms make attractive cut flowers for arrangements, bringing the beauty of the garden indoors.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Globeflower 'Alabaster' can be used in dye extraction to produce yellow hues for textile coloring, as the petals contain pigments which are suitable for natural dye processes.
- It serves as an artistic inspiration due to its unique form and color, making it a popular subject for photography, watercolor painting, and other visual arts.
- The dried seed heads of the Globeflower 'Alabaster' provide an interesting textural element in floral arrangements and crafts, especially in making dried bouquets and wreaths.
- The plant can also be utilized in educational settings such as biology classrooms to teach students about pollination and plant life cycles.
- Globeflower 'Alabaster' contributes to garden aesthetics as a thematic element for fairy or whimsical gardens, enhancing the mystical appearance of the design.
- The flowers are used as a natural confetti in eco-friendly events or weddings, being biodegradable and a colorful, visually appealing option.
- In culinary arts, the petals could be used for decorating cakes and desserts, assuming they are free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
- Globeflower 'Alabaster' may serve in a sensory garden, with its unique texture and form, stimulating visual and tactile experiences for visitors.
- It can act as an indicator plant for gardeners to determine soil moisture levels as the plant thrives in moist conditions and may show stress when the soil is too dry.
- The globeflower can be used ceremonially in some cultures as part of floral offerings or decorations for festivals and religious events.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Globeflower is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Globeflower is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Overcoming Obstacles: Trollius, also known as the globeflower, has a robust nature and can thrive in challenging environments, symbolizing the ability to persevere and overcome difficulties.
- Protection: With its bright, globe-like flowers, the globeflower is often associated with warding off negative influences, offering a symbol of safeguarding.
- Unity: The globeflower's round shape exemplifies wholeness and completeness, thus representing unity and togetherness in relationships or groups.
- Cheerfulness: The bright and sunny appearance of the globeflower bloom suggests positivity and joy, making it a symbol of cheerfulness and good spirits.
- Water
Globe flowers prefer consistently moist soil, so it's important to water them thoroughly. They should be watered about once a week, but this can vary depending on climate and soil conditions. During hot or dry weather, you may need to water globe flowers every few days to maintain soil moisture. It is generally recommended to provide about 1 inch of water per week, which equates to about 0.6 gallons per square yard. Ensuring adequate drainage is essential to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
- Light
Globe flowers thrive in full sun to partial shade. The best spot for planting globe flowers is an area that receives morning sunlight and partial shade in the afternoon. This ensures that the plant gets enough light for healthy growth without being exposed to the harsh afternoon sun, which can stress the plant and cause the leaves to scorch.
- Temperature
Globe flowers do well in temperate climates and can tolerate a range of temperatures. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about -20°F and maximum summer temperatures of around 85°F. However, the ideal growing temperatures for globe flowers are between 60°F and 75°F, which encourages vigorous growth and blooming.
- Pruning
Pruning globe flowers is done to remove spent flowers and encourage a second bloom. It's best to prune globe flowers immediately after the first bloom, which is usually in late spring or early summer. Cutting back the stems by about one-third can stimulate a new flush of flowers. Pruning also helps maintain a tidy plant appearance and prevents self-seeding if not desired.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
The Glove Flower prefers a moist but well-draining soil mix, rich in organic matter. Blend garden loam, peat, and coarse sand or perlite in equal parts for an ideal mix. A slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is optimal for this perennial.
- Repotting
Glove Flowers are typically not repotted often as they are garden perennials, but if grown in containers, repot every 2-3 years in spring, before active growth begins.
- Humidity & Misting
Glove Flowers thrive in average garden humidity. They do not require unusual humidity levels, so typical outdoor conditions are generally sufficient.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place Glove Flower in a bright spot, keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, moist soil, protect from hot sun.
Hardiness zone
3-7 USDA
- Life cycle
Trollius × cultorum 'Alabaster', commonly known as Globe Flower 'Alabaster', begins its life cycle when the seeds germinate in late spring after stratification, which simulates winter-like conditions necessary for the seed to break dormancy. Once the seedlings emerge, they develop into juvenile plants with characteristic palmate leaves. As the plants mature during the growing season, they form clumps of lush, green foliage from which the stem rises, culminating in the flower's globe-like bloom typically in late spring or early summer. After pollination, often by insects attracted to the bright flowers, seeds are formed and dispersed, completing the reproductive cycle. In the autumn, the foliage of the Globe Flower 'Alabaster' dies back and the plant enters a period of dormancy during the winter months. With the return of warmer temperatures in spring, the plant resumes growth from its rhizomatic root system and the cycle begins anew.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Globeflower 'Alabaster' (Trollius × cultorum 'Alabaster') is division. This process is typically done in the spring or early fall to ensure the plant has enough time to establish roots before the extreme temperatures of summer or winter. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump of globeflower and gently separate the plant into smaller sections, making sure each section has a portion of the root system intact. Ideally, each division should have at least two or three healthy shoots. These divisions can then be replanted in well-drained soil, spaced about 12 to 24 inches (approximately 30 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow for growth and proper air circulation. Water the new divisions thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil around the roots and eliminate air pockets.