This aboriginal woodland perennial is easily recognize by its symmetrical flowers .
wood lily is a genus of spring - blooming wildflower in the lily family . Most of the more than 40 wood lily species are aboriginal to temperate North America and primarily find in the eastern United States , from the thickets of Quebec and Ontario to the woodlands of Alabama and Georgia , and in between . Some rare wake-robin species , such as the relict trillium ( Trillium reliquum ) grow only in a narrow geographical image .
It is not unusual for this woodland precious stone to involve at least a couple of years or more in the grow website before blossom , a worthwhile wait . Also called wood lily or aftermath - robin , trilliums are treasure for their decided solitary three - petal heyday , which give way of life to capsules that look like Berry . The flowers sit down either directly on top of the leafage ( sessile ) or on a short stalk . The leafage and sepal also come in group of three . The foliage of several species is mottle .
Trillium is toxic to humans and pets .
Where to Plant Trillium
implant this graceful perennial in a shaded location with rich , moist , more or less acidulent to neutral territory , ideally in a woodland - type setting . This is a low - growing plant so take a situation where you may savour its spring efflorescence . wood lily is particular about its growing conditions but when left undisturbed it will spread lento and bit by bit to form a colony or thumping , so make certain it has room to expand .
The plant is a true outpouring ephemeral ; it often dies down to the ground by tardy summer , even in the first place in domain with teetotal soil . Let other perennials such asperennial geraniumorlobeliafill the blank space but nullify any whose roots grow too vigorously and choke out the wood lily .
How and When to Plant Trillium
constitute the rhizomes in the previous summertime or fall when the plant is dormant and the foliage has died back . Dig a kettle of fish 2 to 4 inches mysterious and spacious enough to adapt the long , white root growing from the rootstock . Fan the roots out and backfill the kettle of fish . Gently tamp down the soil and piss well .
In the absence seizure of rainwater , water regularly to advance the roots to get established before the first fall hoarfrost .
Depending on the diversity , blank space plants 6 to 12 column inch apart .
Trillium Care Tips
provide the industrial plant with the proper growing conditions is key . Once it is established , the care is minimum .
Light
Trillium involve part shade or full wraith to thrive .
Soil and Water
The soil should be well - drained , hommos - rich grease , with apH between 5.5 and 6.5 .
Water the plant regularly after plant , especially if there is infrequent rain , to help therhizomes get establish .
In dry summer weather , the leaf by nature dies down . You do n’t need to irrigate the flora during that period . However , covering the domain with a dense level of folio litter help to keep dirt wet .
Temperature and Humidity
The unlike trillium specie vary in hardiness ; some are more winter - hardy than others and maturate in Zone 4 . All trilliums grow well in a temperate mood with coolheaded winters and ardent summers and no uttermost warmth or humidity .
Fertilizer
Instead of using commercial-grade fertilizer , apply a layer of compost around the plants every leap . Allowing fallen leave from nearby deciduous trees to persist in post also return food to the filth as they are decomposing .
Pruning
There is no indigence to snip or trim back trillium . Make certain to let the foliage go bad back by nature after the bloom .
Potting and Repotting
Trillium is not suited for growing in pots . In the winter , pot do not provide the roots with sufficient detachment against the cold in the wintertime or warmth in the summertime . Also , frequent temperature fluctuations and cycles of freeze and thaw are prejudicious to the health of the rhizomes .
Pests and Problems
Trillium is unbothered by serious pest or diseases and it is look at fair deer - resistant .
How to Propagate Trillium
Trillium does not transplant well so digging up a ripe flora to spread it can be dispute . Propagating from seed has its drawback , too , as it consume several years for a unexampled wake-robin to blossom .
If you require to try your hand at propagating it by class , in the late summertime or former fall , cautiously dig up the whole chunk and gently divide the rootstalk into sections . Replant them at the same astuteness as the original plant life and water supply well for the first few weeks .
Types of Trillium
Great White Trillium
Trillium grandiflorumstands out by its big white bloom on tall stalk . The white heyday explicate a pinkish tone as they age . The industrial plant acquire 8 to 12 in in superlative . geographical zone 4 - 7
Stinking Benjamin
The name of this reddish wake-robin ( Trillium erectum ) is deceiving — with its rich deep red flowers , it is one of the most salient trilliums . The self-coloured green leave have pointed tips . It is native to the eastern United States and eastern Canada . geographical zone 4 - 7
Sweet Betsy
wake-robin cuneatum , commonly known as sweet Betsy , bloody butcher , or majestic sessile trillium , is native to the southeastern United States . The red or over-embellished flowers sit atop 12- to 18 - in prow . Zone 5 - 8
Yellow Trillium
Both the peak and the foliage ofTrillium luteumare stalkless . The silver - streak foliage on 1- to 2 - pes plant is particularly attractive . geographical zone 5 - 7
Trillium Companion Plants
Virginia Bluebells
Virginia bluebellsare another aboriginal plant that tot up woodland lulu to your garden . They have blue , toll - shape flowers that open above bright unripened leafage in midspring . After the bloom , at the beginning of summer , Virginia wild hyacinth recede into the soil and their foliage slowly dies back . Zone 3 - 8
Wood Fern
Planting small to mediumwood ferns(Dryopteris ) is a sure room to satisfy the empty space after trillium dies back in the summertime . Wood ferns , also lie with as shield ferns and buckler ferns , are tough , adaptable , intermediate - sized woodland fern with a bluff texture . Unlike other ferns , which are often particular to grow , woodwind instrument ferns are stout , strong , and easy to grow , and they require little maintenance . Zone 3 - 9
Violets
Yellowvioletsmake excellent woodland planting companions . Unlike other violets , they do not spread out by runner or smartly ego - seed . Their native chain of mountains stretch from northeastern Canada to southern Texas . Zone 3 - 7
Frequently Asked Questions
About one - third of the trillium species in North America are threatened by extinction and listed as expose by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . Trillium became rarified due to home ground loss , loss of pollinator , over - harvesting by avid gardeners , and introduced invasive competition , pathogens , and pestis . If you decide to plant trillium , buy only from reputable party that sell nursery - broadcast descent .
The plant spread slowly from their rhizomatous roots so it take years until they fill an area . As a tradeoff , they are long - lived , with a lifespan of up to 25 eld .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Trillium . North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension .
