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Jeweled Wakerobin Trillium simile

Phonetic Spelling
TRIL-ee-um SIM-il-ee
Description

Jeweled Wakerobin is a native spring flowering perennial wildflower with showy white blooms.  It is found in the Appalachian mountains of the southeastern U.S.A. In nature, it can be found growing in very rich soils of slopes and coves over mafic or calcareous rocks, often in or near seepage. It is a NC Threatened species.

Flowers are usually fragrant, white to slightly pink-tinged and bloom in spring. The plant spreads slowly by rhizomes and will form colonies if left undisturbed. They usually go dormant by mid-summer.  Avoid overwatering in the summer.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  Slugs and snails are occasional pests and leaf spot, rust and smut are occasional disease problems. It does not transplant well.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#small spaces#white flowers#pink flowers#moth caterpillar host#native perennials#shade garden#spring flowers#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#perennial flowers#rich soils#small and large mammals#native garden#mountains#summer interest#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#forb#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#food source soft mast fruit#partial shade tolerant#pink#ants#shade flowers#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#small spaces#white flowers#pink flowers#moth caterpillar host#native perennials#shade garden#spring flowers#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#perennial flowers#rich soils#small and large mammals#native garden#mountains#summer interest#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#fruits summer#food source summer#forb#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#food source soft mast fruit#partial shade tolerant#pink#ants#shade flowers#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Trillium
    Species:
    simile
    Family:
    Melanthiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Trilliums have been used in herbal medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    TN, GA, NC, SC
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees and other pollinating insects enjoy the nectar from the flowers. Moths use this plant as a larval host. Ants and small mammals enjoy the fruits as a food source.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Fragrance
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Purple/Lavender
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    6- parted berry-like capsule with seeds dispersed by ants. In North Carolina, the purple-black fruits are available from June to July.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers have 3 white petals with a purple ovary. In North Carolina, the blooms are available from March to May. The flower smells of green apples.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3 large green bracts occur in a whorl and often overlap.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Round green to reddish-purple stem
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals