Trillium grandiflorum

Common Names

Great White Trillium, White Trillium, White Wake-Robin, Wake-Robin, Large-Flowered Trillium, Snow Trillium, American Wood Lily, American Wake-Robin

Summary

Trillium grandiflorum is an herbaceous perennial native to eastern North America that grows in rich woods and shaded habitats, it forms a single stem bearing a whorl of three leaves and a large white flower perched above, often aging to pink as it matures, the plant is slow to establish and spreads by rhizomes to form dense clonal colonies, reaching about 12-18 inches tall with flowers 2-4 inches across, blooming in spring, April to May, in cultivation it prefers cool woodland shade with moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil, and benefits from consistent moisture and fall mulching, it is hardy in USDA zones 4-8, propagation can be by seed or division, with division after flowering commonly used, seeds are dispersed by ants and may take several years to mature, the plant complements shaded borders and woodland gardens, provides habitat for pollinators, and is generally low-maintenance though slugs and snails can be occasional pests, deer damage is rare

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

9-12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade to full shade.

Soil Type

Deep, humus-rich, well-drained loamy soil that is evenly moist, with a pH around 5.0–6.5 (neutral to slightly acidic).

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, evenly moist, fertile loam (humus-rich) soil.

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Bloom Color

White, aging to pink

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, no mention of hummingbirds, butterflies, or birds as visitors