Trillium cuneatum

Trillium cuneatum

Little sweet betsy

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does flower in April

Plant does flower in May

Plant does not flower in June

Plant does not flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

  • Botanical name: Trillium cuneatum
  • Common name: Little sweet betsy
  • Family: Melanthiaceae
  • Plant Type: Perennial, Deciduous
Flower colour:

Red

Foliage colour:

Green

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.

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Trillium cuneatum has the curious common name of little sweet Betsy and has beautifully mottled leaves. In April and May sumptuous, dark-red flowers emerge that some say smell like bananas.

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For best results, grow Trillium cuneatum in partial to full shade in a humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil.

How to grow Trillium cuneatum

  • Plant size

    40cm height

    30cm spread

  • Aspect

    North facing, east facing

  • Position in border

    Front

  • Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full shade, partial shade
  • Shade type: Damp
  • Hardiness: Hardy
  • Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist

Plant calendar

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sow
Sow

Do not Sow in January

Do not Sow in February

Do not Sow in March

Do not Sow in April

Do not Sow in May

Do not Sow in June

Do not Sow in July

Do Sow in August

Do Sow in September

Do Sow in October

Do not Sow in November

Do not Sow in December

Plant
Plant

Do not Plant in January

Do not Plant in February

Do not Plant in March

Do not Plant in April

Do not Plant in May

Do not Plant in June

Do not Plant in July

Do Plant in August

Do Plant in September

Do Plant in October

Do not Plant in November

Do not Plant in December

Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does flower in April

Plant does flower in May

Plant does not flower in June

Plant does not flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Divide
Divide

Do not Divide in January

Do not Divide in February

Do not Divide in March

Do not Divide in April

Do not Divide in May

Do not Divide in June

Do not Divide in July

Do Divide in August

Do Divide in September

Do Divide in October

Do not Divide in November

Do not Divide in December

Trillium cuneatum and wildlife

Trillium cuneatum has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Trillium cuneatum poisonous?

Trillium cuneatum toxins are absorbed by the skin. Its roots are toxic.

Toxic to:

Toxic to People

No reported toxicity to:

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

Plants that go well with Trillium cuneatum

97168
Plants

Trillium grandiflorum

American wake-robin