About
A clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial, to 45cm in height, with erect stems each carrying a whorl of three broad, oval leaves, up to 20cm long and across. The solitary flowers, which hang below the leaves, have pointed green sepals, three creamy-white petals and purple anthers.
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 typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toSE USA
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 sown 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 or cut out the growing point from the rhizome after flowering, which stimulates the formation of offsets
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free