Globularia - Growing Globe Daisy
Globularia are evergreen hardy perennials that range from 10cm to 60cm in height.
A commonly grown member of the Globularia genus grown by gardeners is the Globe Daisy.
Globularia bloom in spring to the start of summer; with some encourage they may bloom a second time in the autumn.
When in bloom they carry small globe shaped flowers that are usually blue.
Photographs: Globularia alpyum by Granovetter and Globularia cordifolia by Roberto Verzo.
Quick Globularia Growing Guide and Facts
Common Names: Globe Daisy.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 4 to 24 inches (10 to 60 cm). Mat forming.
Native: Europe, North Africa, Southwestern Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 5 to 9.
Flowers: Late spring through to early summer; further blooming possible through to autumn.
Flower Details: Blue; brighten in the summer. Round. Fluffy. Dense.
Foliage: Evergreen. Leathery. Oval.
Sow Outside: Surface. Start of spring - before the last frost, or towards the end of autumn. Spacing: Small 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm); Large 12 inches (30 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: one week to two months. Temperature: 55°F (13°C). Light. Mix seeds in a moist growing medium, place in a freezer bag, then stratify by refrigeration for three weeks. Sow imbibed seeds seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or partial shade. Good drainage. Soil pH 5.5 to 7.0. Moist soil. Regular watering. Occasional feed. Tidy dead leaves and flowers. Propagate: by dividing in the spring in cooler areas or the autumn in warmer areas.
How to grow Globularia
Globularia members such as Globe daisy can be sown outdoors in either late autumn or the start of spring. They should be sown on the surface. Globe daisies are able to grow successfully in sunny and partially shaded areas and prefer a moist soil of pH 5.5 to 7. The spacing of Globularia is species dependent; sow small Globularia species 12 to 20cm apart; and larger Globularia varieties about 30cm apart.
If starting off indoors you should first chill Globularia seeds in the fridge, within soil 9in a bag) for three weeks. Sow them about a month and a half in advance. It should take from one to seven weeks for globe daisies and other Globularia to germinate in the light at about 12 degrees centigrade. Transplant them into the garden a week or so after the last chance of a frost.
Caring for Globularia
As globe daisies and other Globularia like a moist soil it is best to water them on a regular basis. They also require an occasional application of fertiliser. Once flowering has finished cut back to encourage a second bloom in autumn. If you require more globe daisies then propagate Globularia by division in the spring.