Trillium

Trilliums are the royalty of woodland gardens. In spring, encountering a large, established patch in the wild is something to remember. Gardeners in temperate climates worldwide cherish trilliums, so unfortunately tens of millions have been dug from the wild. Luckily, dedicated enthusiasts have rescued millions, too. Buy from reputable dealers who specify that their plants are propagated from cultivated stock. Plant them 4 inches deep in deep, humus-rich soil that does not dry out, and apply a mulch of rotted leaves annually.

Light:

Part Sun,Shade

Zones:

4-9

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

5-24 inches tall, depending on variety

Plant Width:

4-12 inches wide, depending on variety

Flower Color:

White, pink, or yellow flowers, depending on variety; variegated leaves, depending on variety

Bloom Time:

Blooms early to late spring, depending on variety

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Drought Tolerant

Top Varieties

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Double trillium

Trillium grandiflorum 'Flore Pleno' has 3-inch-wide double white flowers that fade to pink. It grows 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Zones 4-7
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Great white trillium

Trillium grandiflorum has 2- to 3-inch-wide flowers that fade to pink. Each is composed of three wavy-edged petals above dark green foliage. Great white trillium may reach almost 2 feet tall and is hardy in Zones 4-7.
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Painted trillium

Trillium undulatum shows off white flowers that are often decorated with a red eye. It grows 15 inches tall and wide. Zones 4-7
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Propeller trillium

Trillium stamineum is a unique species that bears burgundy-red flowers with narrow petals over silver-mottled foliage. It grows 15 inches tall and wide. Zones 4-7
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Trillium discolor

Trillium discolor bears small creamy-yellow flowers with narrow petals over silver-splashed foliage. It grows 12 inches tall and wide. Zones 4-7
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Underwood's trillium

Trillium underwoodii is a spectacular selection with silvery leaves speckled in green and rich, dark red flowers in early spring. It grows 8 inches tall and wide. Zones 5-9
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Wood lily

Trillium flexipes is a graceful species that has white, 2 1/2-inch-wide flowers in early spring and large dark green leaves. It grows 2 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-7
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Yellow trillium

Trillium luteum offers yellow flowers and silver-mottled foliage in early spring. It grows 15 inches tall and wide. Zones 4-8
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Plant It With

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Phlox

Drifts of pale blue woodland phlox mix superbly with trilliums in spring in woodland shade.

Barrenwort

The heart-shape leaves of barrenwort, often rimed with red in early spring, and dancing clusters of small flowers mix well with trilliums in shaded gardens.

Foamflower

With attractive lobed and often marked leaves and short spikes of white flowers, foamflower makes a fine companion for trilliums in light shade

Propagation

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Seed
Division