Ramin Nakisa / CC BY-SA 3.0
garden
Trillium
Trillium
Edible
Overview
The aristocrat of North American woodland wildflowers, trilliums produce their elegant three-petaled flowers in white, red, pink, and yellow in spring. They are impossibly slow-growing — taking 7-10 years from seed to first flower — which makes each blooming plant a precious woodland treasure. Many species are threatened by habitat loss and deer browse, making conservation essential.
Growing Conditions
LightPartial Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones8 — 12
Height0.5m
Spread0.28m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuemoderate
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5 — 6.5
Soil TypeRich, moist, well-drained, humusy woodland soil
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | Sep — Oct | Plant rhizomes 3-4" deep in fall; needs cold stratification; partial to full shade |
| Cold (1-2) | Bloom | May — Jun | White flowers age to pink; do NOT pick — it kills the plant; ant-dispersed seeds |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Sep — Oct | Plant in fall; rich, moist, well-drained woodland soil; patience — 3-5 years to flower from rhizome |
| Cool (3-4) | Bloom | Apr — May | Spring ephemeral; foliage disappears by midsummer; mark location to avoid digging |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Oct — Nov | Fall planting; site under deciduous trees for spring light, summer shade |
| Moderate (5-7) | Bloom | Mar — May | Early spring bloom; indicator of healthy woodland ecosystem |
Uses
Other Uses
- Treasured native woodland wildflower (7-10 years seed to bloom)
- Conservation-critical native species
- Indicator of mature, healthy forest ecosystems
