Trilliums Trillium

Trilliums are a native North American wildflower in the lily family of which there are 38 species. In NC they are found in the mountains with a few in the coastal and Piedmont areas. The flowers all have 3 petals and 3 sepals of various colors and the leaves are often mottled.

Strictly speaking, trilliums have no above-ground stems or leaves. The stem is an extension of the underground rhizome and the leaves are the bracts of the flower. The flowers can be held above the bracts or be found hiding under them. There are 2 major groups of Trilliums- those with a flower stem and those without.

They prefer rich, loamy or humusy soils with good drainage and neutral pH for the most part in partial to full shade. Avoid afternoon sun and provide moisture during the growing season but drier when dormant. 

Use these plants in the shade garden for spring color, under trees or a woodland site.

Trillium seedlings take 2 or 3 years to develop their characteristic three-leaf structure, so if you see long, thin leaves poking out of the soil around your trillium, don't pull them out! It may take 7 or more years for a trillium to grow from seed to a mature, blooming plant. Cheap trilliums are almost always poached from the wild--purchase plants only from reputable dealers! Seeds are dispersed by ants and ground-nesting wasps, such as Yellow Jackets. Deer love to eat Trilliums.

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.