Trillium grandiflorum

Description

I would think that the Large-flowered Trillium doesn’t need too much presentation. But, for just in case, it grows up to 40 cm and bears a solitary, 3-petaled white flower with 3 green sepals. Usually the flowers will turn light pink before they fade. Some individuals have light pink flowers or green bands on the petals (a result of a phytoplasma infection).

Medicinal: The rhizome was used medicinally by the Native Americans mainly to treat menstrual disorders, but also for skin irritations, snakebites …

Nothing equals in the spring a white Trillium flowering or even better a carpet of Trilliums! – it should have a place in any woodland garden or shady corner; great started from seeds for woodland restoration projects.

Germination: Best sown fresh, or kept moist and sown at any time but allowed to follow these temperature cycles: warm/cold/warm. Some seeds will germinate in the first year after sowing and some in the second year, randomly. You need to keep and take care of the pots for at least 2 years!
The germination is hypogeal: first just a root/small rhizome will be formed then the first leaf will appear after a cold period (see image in the gallery). Some seeds require 2 sets of warm/cold cycle for this to happen. If you don’t want to bother with pots, sow the seeds directly in the garden in a prepared location where the seedlings can grow for 2-3 years.
It needs 4-5 years to get to the flowering size, but otherwise it is not difficult to cultivate in part shade locations and medium moist, well drained substrates.