Trillium Collection - 10 Pack

Native Trillium Collection - Package of 10 assorted colors

 The trillium include will be a selection of White trillium, Yellow trillium, Red trillium, Sweet Betsy trillium and/or Prairie trillium.

Trilliums are native wildflowers that bloom in the U.S. woodlands and Canada in spring. They are recognized for their triple-leaved structure, which boasts a single flower with three leaves and sepals. Because a number of trillium species are on the endangered list, it’s often recommended to obtain them from a reputable source; it's also important to note that stealing trilliums from the wild is illegal.

In this article, we will cover the basics of trilliums while divulging why they’re a good choice when shopping for flowers, where they grow best, and how to care for them. We’ll even uncover the details regarding specific popular types, including white trillium, yellow trillium, red trillium, and Sweet Betsy trillium.

Why are trillium a good perennial to plant?

To begin with, we can say wholeheartedly that there is nothing more dazzling than when trilliums are in full bloom in the woodland garden – the flowers effectively dance in the breeze, yielding a dazzling veil of yellow, red, or white flora that indicates spring has arrived. What’s more, as their name implies – and as we mentioned above – trilliums bring everything notable about them in threes: Three petals and three leaves. Trilliums also boast some of the flashiest flowers compared to other spring flora that bloom when the winter finally ends in colder climates. The three characteristic leaves and triple-petaled flowers are immediately recognized by gardeners.

Regarding heritage, trilliums are native to Asia and North America, and the majority of the species call North America home. While none originate in Europe, very few are sourced from Korea and Japan; in the U.S., they can be found in the wild in Eastern forests, along the West Coast, and in the Rocky Mountains. There are more than 30 species of this flower, and while it’s easiest to grow those native to one’s region of the country, other species from other areas can be experimented with so long as soil conditions and adjusted accordingly.

Where do trilliums grow best?

The answer to that is in their native woodland habitat, requiring dappled light to part shade from deciduous trees for positive growth and completing most of their growing and flowering prior to the tree canopy filling out.

Some care and planting tips for trilliums include:

• Because trilliums are so compatible with other plants, select areas where they won’t have much competition from other flora in woodlands.

• They should be planted in compost-amended soil in groups, in a shade garden, and the soil should boast high organic matter numbers from compost or decaying leaves, well-drained and moist in nature.

• They shouldn’t be planted near other perennials that have the possible ability to take them over in time; in the flower garden, some ideal companions for trilliums include any of the other spring ephemeral flowers like trout lillies, woodland phlox, foam flowers, solomon’s seal and colubine.

• When trilliums are flowering, overwintered primulas, pansies, and violas will often be in full bloom, and these lovers of shade complement trillium flowers well.

• They should be planted among evergreen ground covers such as ivy and vinca, where, in spring, colorful flowers will bloom above the ground cover foliage.

• Because trillium spreads via self-sowing and clumping, germinating trillium seed is not easy; seed-grown plants can take up to a decade to bloom, with small trillium plants bought at a local garden center or online having the ability to bloom within a few years.

Let’s now take a look at some popular trillium variants.

• White Trillium – Also known as “the great white trillium,” this species is a herbaceous, long-lived, woodland perennial wildflower enjoying a broad distribution in eastern North America; the flower thrives on well-drained, rich, mesic soils in deciduous or mixed deciduous/coniferous forests.

• Yellow Trillium – This species, Yellow Trillium falls within the sessile group and typically flowers in April and May, its twisted yellow petals setting it apart alongside a lemony fragrance.

• Red Trillium – Found in rich, moist woods from Manitoba, Canada, east to Nova Scotia, south to Georgia and Alabama, and north to Illinois and Michigan, this species, Red Trillium boasts unbranched stems with no true leaves or stems above ground.

• Sweet Betsy Trillium – This herbaceous perennial wildflower native to the piedmont and mountains of North Carolina and the southeastern U.S. can be found in rich soils of woodlands, moist slopes, and bottomlands and remains one of the largest and most vigorous of the sessile trilliums. Sweet Betsy Trillium are native perennials.

Trilliums are considered a good flower to invest in because they are not only beautiful but boast early blooming characteristics that add unique character to a garden, to say nothing of their low maintenance (once established) – especially when sourced ethically from reputable nurseries to protect wild populations.