Globeflower grows well in moist to wet soil, as along the edge of a stream, pond, or bog. It also thrives in a border that has heavy loam, rich in organic matter. Take care to keep roots moist; plants will go dormant if allowed to dry out in the summer. However, globeflower resents the humidity and heat of the Deep South. (It does not grow well in the Southwest, either.) Deadheading will prolong the flowering period. Propagate by division in fall, but to increase your plantings it is better to buy new plants, because clumps produce the most spectacular display if they are left undivided.
Globeflower is an elegant flower for the shade garden. The solitary flowers, shaped like oversized buttercups, sit atop 24- to 36-inch stems. Blossoms of cream, sunny yellow, or rich orange appear in late spring or early summer; some selections produce a second flush of flowers in the late summer or early fall. Its clumps of deeply cleft leaves are attractive all season long. The hybrid forms, indicated by the x in the botanical name, involve several species; all have larger flowers than the wild species. Globeflower is a long-lasting cut flower for spring and early-summer arrangements.
ZONES; 4–7
BLOOM TIME: Late spring to early summer
LIGHT: Part shade to full sun
HEIGHT: 24–36 inches
INTEREST: Globe-shaped flowers in cream, orange, or yellow over large, divided green leaves
Globeflower is suitable for any shade garden. It can be planted with native ferns and wildflowers or mixed with other imported exotics. All shades are pleasing with deep blue flowers such as those of Siberian irises or lupines.