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Trillium sessile (Toadshade)

Toadshade, Red Trillium, Red Wake-robin, Sessile Trillium, Sessile Wake-robin, Yellow Trillium, Yellow Wake-robin

Trillium sessile, Toadshade, Red Trillium, Red Wake-robin, Sessile Trillium, Sessile Wake-robin, Yellow Trillium, Yellow Wake-robin

Noted for its subtle beauty, Trillium sessile (Toadshade) is a clump-forming rhizomatous perennial producing whorls of broadly oval, deep green leaves handsomely marbled with pale, silvery green and bronze-maroon. In mid to late spring, stalkless, upright, wine-red to burgundy flowers, 2 in. tall (5 cm), appear in the center of the three-leaf whorl. The petals stand up straight and are barely open. 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. This is one of the earliest blooming trilliums.

  • Grows up to 6-12 in. tall and wide (15-30 cm). It 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.
  • 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.
  • The best time for planting is late summer or early fall as it gives the rhizomes time to establish good root systems before the following growing season.
  • 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 northeastern United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Melanthiaceae
Genus Trillium
Common names Wake Robin, Red Trillium
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spacing 6" - 12"
(15cm - 30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, Kansas, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Oklahoma
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Trillium ovatum (Western Trillium)
Trillium erectum (Red Trillium)
Trillium grandiflorum (White Trillium)
Trillium grandiflorum f. roseum (Pink Trillium)
Trillium recurvatum (Prairie Trillium)
Trillium kurabayashii (Giant Purple Wakerobin)

Recommended Companion Plants

Corydalis flexuosa ‘Blue Panda’ (Fumewort)
Erythronium tuolumnense (Tuolumne Dog Tooth Violet)
Ipheion uniflorum ‘White Star’ (Spring Starflower)
Helleborus (Hellebore)

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Trillium
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Melanthiaceae
Genus Trillium
Common names Wake Robin, Red Trillium
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spacing 6" - 12"
(15cm - 30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, Kansas, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Oklahoma
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Trillium (Wake Robin) to pick?
Compare Now

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