Trilliums

If it's been a good spring for Epimediums, it's been equally good for Trilliums — at least in my garden. This is an old clump of Trillium sessile photographed on a cold and cloudy day (April 26th).

Here's the same group this week surrounded by Primula japonica 'Postford White'.  This particular Trillium is one of the largest I've ever seen in my garden. 

It measures about ten inches across and is a stunner. 

This Trillium recurvatum (at least I think that's what this one is!) has seeded itself around the garden: in sun and shade, in pebbles and soil of all types.

Though most gardeners think of Trilliums as native woodland plants, I think they are as sophisticated looking as many of our highly cultivated and hybridized garden plants. What could be lovelier than this clump of Trillium flexipes? 

Trillium albidum produced four flowers after only being planted last year. That's pretty dramatic growth for a Trillium.

When we moved into our house we discovered a Trillium grandiflorum plant already growing here. For years I was afraid to touch it until Gene Bush of Munchkin Nursery told the WHPS that Trilliums will die out if you don't periodically divide them. So I finally pared away some pieces which have grown into nice plants themselves as you can see from the photo below.

In fact this Trillium is so happy that it self seeded into the dry stream bed in soil that has been compacted by big equipment and big feet for many years. It's the last place I would have ever planted one and it came back this year after I forgot to dig it out and move it last year.

Big mama is trying to open if the sun would come out for more than a few hours. This original Trillium grandiflorum is surrounded by white Dodecatheon which are almost ready to bloom as well. 

My patch of Trillium luteum is increasing very slowly. This one is near a path that I traverse almost daily so I am more aware of the speed with which it's growing than most of my other Trilliums which require a special trip out into the garden to see them. I guess I can't really complain given how many Trillium varieties I'm growing with no real problems. I give all the credit to my microclimate rather than this gardener's expertise.

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I love these spring ephemerals. I don't remember ever seeing the yellow trillium. I should source it out.

[Barbara H.]

How lucky you are to have so many happy trilliums. I planted one that was very small when it appeared and stayed small. I don't think it came back this year.

[Peter/Outlaw]

Trillium are such delightful plants and you've got some very happy and beautiful examples! Thanks for the information about dividing them as I have one that has increased quite a bit over the years and I'd hate to lose it.

[Linda Brazill]

I love the yellow one but it has grown so slowly that I finally bought another plant and added it nearby but it is still not much of a clump compared to my other Trilliums. I should maybe move the 2nd one as it may be the soil or low light where they are currently growing.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

You have quite a collection and variety of Trilliums! I agree that it's been a good year for them. The ones we have here are naturally occurring, so I've never moved or added new ones. They seem to move and self-seed over time as they would in a natural woodland, with help from the critters. There's really something special about Trilliums!

[Jason]

That's a wonderful patch of the white Trillium. The Trillium luteum is very attractive.