Trillium Plant Profile

Trillium Plant Profile

Trillium (Trillium species) are perennial plants with three leaves and three petals on the flowers. Depending on the species, the blooms are white, pink, yellow, and deep red. They are considered a spring ephemeral flower as they emerge in early spring and flower for a few weeks.

There are about 40 Trillium species that are native to the eastern United States. They are also known as wood lily or wake-robin.

They are hardy to USDA Zones 4-9.

Trilliums are pollinated by a variety of insects, including bees, beetles, flies, and moths. Small mammals eat the fruits. Ants are attracted to the seeds, which they help disperse.

Trillium grow best in fertile, moist, but well-draining soils that are high in organic matter. 

They prefer to be in part-shade such as in a woodland edge habitat.

Once established, Trillium will naturalize and expand into clumps with multiple flowers.

Plant trillium rhizomes in early spring or late summer. You can also dig divide established clumps to multiply them.

This plant is low maintenance. It will yellow and die back to the ground by summer. If you want a neater garden look, you can cut it back, but wait until the leaves start dying back before doing so.

A few species of Trillium are considered endangered in the wild, so you should never divide or remove them from public or private lands. Buy Trillium plants and rhizomes from a reputable nursery.

Trillium: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Video and Editing by Miguel Zarate

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If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Fleabane Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/05/fleabane-plant-profile.html

~ Golden Ragwort Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/05/golden-ragwort-plant-profile.html

~ Lyreleaf Sage Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/04/lyreleaf-sage-plant-profile.html

And learn even more about Trilliums on GardenDC Podcast Episode 99: Trilliums > https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/04/gardendc-podcast-episode-99-trilliums.html

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