Trillium flexipes (Nodding Wakerobin)
Nodding Wakerobin, White Wakerobin, Bent Trillium, Declined Trillium, Drooping Trillium, Trillium erectum var. blandum
A handsome and distinctive trillium, Trillium flexipes (Nodding Wakerobin) is a clump-forming rhizomatous perennial producing whorls of large, heart-shaped, almost overlapping, green leaves, up to 3-10 in. long and wide (7-25 cm). In mid to late spring, creamy-white outward-facing flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), appear above the leaves on short stalks, which may be drooping or standing erect. Each flower has three large white petals and three narrow green sepals. As the flower ages, its stem bends downward, hiding the flower beneath the leaves. Easy to grow, this charming Trillium is a lovely choice for wildflower gardens or woodland gardens, where it will carpet the ground, regaling those who view it.
- Grows up to 12-24 in. tall (30-60 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). Will spread gradually if left undisturbed.
- Performs best in part shade or full shade, in deep, humus-rich, acid to neutral, moist, well-drained soils. Mulch in fall with leaves.
- Excellent when massed in shaded woodland gardens, naturalized areas or wildflower gardens. Pretty groundcover too!
- Because trilliums go dormant by midsummer, pair them with other shade-loving perennials that will look good the rest of the gardening season and share their place until they reappear the following spring.
- Generally disease free, this plant requires little maintenance. Watch out for slugs and snails.
- Plant in early fall or in early spring.
- Propagate by seed in pots in a shady cold frame as soon as seed is ripe; takes 5-7 years to reach flowering size. Propagate rhizomes by division after flowering
- Native to the northern United States.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
4 - 7 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Melanthiaceae |
| Genus | Trillium |
| Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) |
| Height |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing |
12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
| Tolerance | Full Shade |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
Alternative Plants to Consider
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Requirements
| Hardiness |
4 - 7 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Melanthiaceae |
| Genus | Trillium |
| Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) |
| Height |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing |
12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
| Tolerance | Full Shade |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
