April Perennial of the Month-Trillium
Early spring is THE best time to wander about the woods and hiking trails to see native wildflowers. (Preferably before the mosquitos are out!) Visiting Missouri Botanical Garden’s Woodland Garden, Emmenegger Park, or Powder Valley are great closer-to-home places to spot these beauties.
One of the most unique spring natives is Trillium. (Trillium sp.) Sometimes called Wood lily or Wake robin, they are easy to spot with three leaves joined at the center and topped with an upright bloom or sepals, where they meet like a cherry on top of a cupcake. The flowers, or sepals, are usually shades of brown or white. Depending on the species, they grow from 6-12” and spread by underground rhizomes. Thirty-eight native species of Trillium make North America their home. Many species hybridize, so sometimes exact identification is difficult.
Trilliums fall into two major groups: pedicellate and sessile. Pedicellate trilliums like the white ones pictured below, have flowers on a pedicel extending from the whorl of bracts, either “erect” above the bracts or “nodding” recurved under the bracts. Sessile trilliums, like pictured above, have no pedicel. The flowers rise directly from the bracts.
All trilliums love shady areas and soils rich with organic matter. (Think forest floors with layers of detritus and leaves!) Consistent moisture is also appreciated, but make sure it’s well drained.
Like many spring natives, trilliums are dormant by mid-summer, sleeping off the big show until next spring.
Why I love this plant;
-It’s native.
-Unique shape and flowers.
-Easy to spot on a hike.
-Takes full to part-shade.
-Forms nice masses without taking over.
-Deer seem to leave the darker flowering trillium alone, preferring the white if they do browse trillium.
What’s not so great?
-Since they go dormant by Mid-Summer, they can leave holes in the shade or woodland garden, so plan accordingly.
-Hard to find in the trade, please, please, PLEASE do not consider transplanting from the wild. Try online if you can’t find a local source.
-They do not transplant easily due to the rhizomes, so pick the perfect spot and leave undisturbed for best results.
Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2023, All rights reserved.
