About
A clump-forming perennial, to 60cm tall, with three broadly ovate leaves, each 7-25cm long and as wide, and often almost overlapping. White outward-facing spring flowers, up to 5cm across, comprise three large white petals and three narrow green sepals and are held above the leaves on short stalks which may be either stiffly erect or drooping.
About the genus
Trillium are rhizomatous, herbaceous perennials with erect stems bearing a whorl of ovate or diamond-shaped leaves, with one or more erect or nodding flowers borne at the stem apex
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toE North America
Care notes
CultivationGrow in deep, moist but well-drained, humus-rich, preferably acid to neutral soil in deep or partial shade. Mulch in autumn with leaf mould. See trillium cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed in pots in a shady cold frame as soon as seed is ripe; takes 5-7 years to reach flowering size. Propagate rhizomes by division after flowering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free