The Difference Between Globe Flower & Globe Amaranth

Features

• Native to Northern Europe, globe flower reaches 18 to 24 inches in height and bears globular, lemon-yellow blooms in late spring with occasional flowering into midsummer. This perennial's blooms remain quite round rather than opening fully. In contrast, globe amaranth is an annual plant that is native to Central America. Reaching 12 to 24 inches in height, the plant produces cloverlike flower heads with bright purple, magenta and pink hues. The colorful blooms continue steadily throughout summer until frost, providing brilliant, late-season color.

Culture

• True to its native habitat, globe flower thrives in continuously moist, even boggy, soil in sunny or partially shaded sites. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 3 through 7, it does not maintain its beauty reliably in the heat of zones farther south. Globe amaranth, on the other hand, thrives in full-sun locations, well-drained soil and is unfazed by hot weather, winds and rains. Grown easily from seed, this resilient plant performs well as an annual throughout the United States.

Uses

• An appropriate addition to any moist area, globe flower excels in moist meadow and wildflower gardens and atop a shady rock garden ledge. Considered striking when massed, particularly along a water's edge, it also is effective when included in a casual bouquet as a cut flower. Similarly, globe amaranth performs as both a fresh cut flower and dried flower. Often referred to as an everlasting, the plant produces dried flowers that hold their color indefinitely. Simply hang the cut stems upside down to dry. Until that time comes, use globe amaranth in challenging locations where its toughness will prevail. It grows best in full-sun planting beds and as colorful edging in hot locations.

Cultivars

• Many cultivated varieties have been developed from both of these plants. "Superbus" globe flower (Trollius x cultorum "Superbus") grows 2 to 3 feet high and received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 7, it is valued for its lemon-yellow, double, buttercuplike blooms. Measuring up to 2 1/2 inches across, the blooms cover the plant in spring and summer.

  "Buddy" globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa "Buddy") was included in the Missouri Botanical Garden's Plants of Merit program for its outstanding ornamental value, insect- and disease-resistance and dependable performance. A compact annual just 9 inches tall, the plant has deep-purple flowers that are valued in the garden and as both fresh and dried cut flowers.