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Herbaceous Perennial

Trillium ovatum

A clump-forming perennial, to around 50cm high, with upright, reddish stems each bearing three diamond-shaped, deeply veined dark green leaves. Fragrant white flowers, with spreading, curved back petals that age to reddish-pink, are held on short stems above the leaves in spring

Synonyms

Trillium californicum

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Melanthiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming, Columnar upright
Genus: Trillium are rhizomatous, herbaceous perennials with erect stems bearing a whorl of ovate or diamond-shaped leaves, with one or more erect or nodding flowers borne at the stem apex
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Western N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in moist but well drained, humus rich, neutral to slightly acidic soil in light shade. Mulch annually in autumn, ideally with leaf mould. Ideal for woodland, or underplanting where they will not be overwhelmed by other plants. See trillium cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in pots in a shady cold frame as soon as seed is ripe; may take several years to reach flowering size. Propagate by division of rhizomes (root cuttings) after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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