- Botanical name: Trillium cuneatum
- Common name: Little sweet betsy
- 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 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.
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
| 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 not 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 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 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
Plants that go well with Trillium cuneatum
