Trillium sessile (Toadshade)

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.