Trillium undulatum (Painted Trillium)
Painted Trillium, Painted Wakerobin, Painted Wood Lily
One of the most attractive woodlands Trilliums, Trillium undulatum (Painted Trillium) is a clump-forming rhizomatous perennial producing whorls of three broadly oval, basal, blue-green leaves. From mid-spring to early summer, ravishing white flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), adorned with a splash of pink, are borne above the leaves on a short, arching stem. Each flower has three red-edged green sepals and 3 crinkly-edged, white petals with a carmine basal stripe. 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 8-18 in. tall (20-45 cm) and 12 in. wide (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. Keep well watered during dry weather in spring and early summer. 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.
- 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 the seed is ripe; takes 5-7 years to reach flowering size. Propagate rhizomes by division after flowering
- Native to North America.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Melanthiaceae |
| Genus | Trillium |
| Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) Summer (Early) |
| Height |
8" - 2' (20cm - 60cm) |
| Spread | 1' (30cm) |
| Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Virginia, West Virginia |
| 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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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.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Melanthiaceae |
| Genus | Trillium |
| Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) Summer (Early) |
| Height |
8" - 2' (20cm - 60cm) |
| Spread | 1' (30cm) |
| Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Virginia, West Virginia |
| Tolerance | Full Shade |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
