Trilliums settle in

When we moved into our house we discovered a huge clump of Trillium grandiflorum in a corner of the garden. I carefully planted Trillium sessile in a similar location and in the best soil in the garden. At the time I considered Trilliums to be rather special and exotic plants, deserving to be treated with respect.

Over the years I've discovered they have a mind of their own and will seed themselves in locations that — according to everything I've read about them — are too hot, too dry, too wet, too sunny and have poor compacted soil to boot. That's made me more adventurous in trying to divide and move them myself. The photos below will show you what I mean about their ability to grow in compromised locations.

Here's a Trillium grandiflorum seedling that is two or three years old growing on compacted clay in an area that sometimes gets flooded in major rainstorms. One of these years I will dig it out and move it. Or not.

Seedlings growing in the dry stream among the rocks. Not sure how far down the roots need to go before they hit dirt. And I mean dirt, not soil

This one's growing in a stone path that has weed barrier fabric under the gravel.

Looking past the above Trillium you can see its partner growing in gravel in the dry stream where it periodically gets flooded. Thus the same variety of Trillium but one growing high and dry and one water-logged half the time. I wish I could say the fact that Trilliums are seeding around the garden attested to my gardening skills but I have had nothing to do with their success. 

I'm just trying to learn about their wants and needs by looking at the locations where they've decided to put themselves without my help.

Comments

[Peter/Outlaw]

It's interesting how these have decided pop up in such a variety of conditions. I've one Trillium grandiflorum 'Flore Pleno' sitting in a pot in the ghetto because I'm afraid to let it loose in the open garden. This post makes me think I need to just throw it out there and let it sink or swim.

[Loree / danger garden]

I've not dipped my toe in the Trillium "pond" yet, thinking them too precious (needy). Perhaps I was wrong...

[rusty duck]

I’ve tried so many times to establish trilliums but never with any success. They are expensive over here so I’ve given up now. So sad, they are fabulous plants!

[Linda Brazill]

I planted T. 'Flore Pleno' a year or two ago and I still only have one leaf. But I am not complaining since it came back after our horrid winter.

[Linda Brazill]

If they are not too expensive to take a chance on, I would give them a try. My T. sessile are like a week they are such a big clump with seedlings around it. I confess my success is dumb luck.

[Linda Brazill]

They are a fabulous plant but I think you can find many things that will give you a great foliage splash that are suited to your climate and your budget.

[Kristin]

Wow, that's amazing. My trilliums did not come back after a couple of years, but a friend just shared some gorgeous yellow ones with me this year. We can't get foxgloves to come back in our KC garden, so I am always jealous when we're in Europe and I see them growing out of cracks in castle walls.

[Linda Brazill]

I had good luck with foxgloves for a few years. Lots of seedlings last year but nothing so far this year. Very disappointing.

[Barbara H.]

I planted very tiny trillums in my woods in two places - they have not really grown (this was several years ago) and they've never flowered. They do come back, at least so far, so I'm grateful for that. I've had to mark the spots with rocks so I can find them. I envy your luck with them.