- Botanical name: Trillium chloropetalum
- Common name: Giant wake-robin
- Family: Melanthiaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Deciduous
Red
Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
Trilliums are spring-flowering woodland plants, native to North America and Asia. Some have bright flowers and variegated foliage, others have fresh green leaves and white flowers. They thrive in sheltered, shady gardens in moist but well-drained soil.
Trillium chloropetalum is a California native with marbled, clover-like foliage, which contrasts with three-cornered, burgundy flowers from late spring to early summer. The foliage looks good long after the flowers are over. This is a superb plant for a woodland garden, and it associates well with plants such as erythroniums, which like the same conditions. Once established it dislikes disturbance.
For best results grow Trillium chloropetalum in moist but well-drained, neutral to acidic soil in shade. Plants may be propagated from seed but will take three years to flower. Given the right conditions, established plants are long-lived.
How to grow Trillium chloropetalum
-
Plant size
50cm height
50cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Full shade, partial shade
- Shade type: Damp
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do not Sow in March |
A
Do not Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do not Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do Divide in August |
S
Do Divide in September |
O
Do Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Trillium chloropetalum and wildlife
Trillium chloropetalum has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Trillium chloropetalum poisonous?
Trillium chloropetalum toxins are absorbed by the skin. Its roots are toxic.
Toxic to People
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
