White Trillium

(Trillium grandiflorum)

White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Trillium grandiflorum, commonly known as White Trillium, is a deciduous perennial herb native to rich, mesic deciduous forests and mixed upland woodlands of Eastern North America, including the Eastern United States and Eastern Canada. It typically grows 20-40 cm tall from a short rhizome and is known for its large, showy white flowers and a whorl of three leaf-like bracts. The flowers, which bloom from late April to early June, are particularly notable for their size, with petals 4 to 7 cm (1.5 to 3 in) long that curve outward, giving them a distinctive funnel shape. The white petals are much longer than the green sepals, and the flowers are odorless. White Trillium is a spring ephemeral, with a life-cycle synchronized with the deciduous woodlands it inhabits.

White Trillium is valued for its attractive three-petaled white flowers and its ability to form large, dense clonal colonies. It is a popular choice for shade gardens and naturalized woodland settings due to its beautiful flowers and ease of maintenance once established. However, it has a slow growth rate and can take seven to ten years to reach flowering size. It is best grown in part shade or full shade, with medium water requirements, and prefers well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soils. While not overly demanding, its cultivation can be slow and uncertain due to variable growth rates and germination.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 1-1.5 feet
  • Width: 0.8-1 feet
  • Growth Rate: Slow
  • Flower Color: White
  • Flowering Season: Spring
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Rich, mesic deciduous forests and mixed upland woodlands of Eastern North America

Other Names

Common Names: Great White Trillium, White Wakerobin, Large White Trillium, Large Flower Wakerobin, Large Flower Trillium, Stort Treblad, Snow Trillium, Trille Blanc

Scientific Names: , Trillium grandiflorum, Trillium scouleri, Trillium grandiflorum f. roseum, Trillium grandiflorum f. polymerum, Trillium grandiflorum f. grandiflorum, Trillium grandiflorum f. petalosum, Trillium grandiflorum f. chandleri, Trillium grandiflorum f. lirioides, Trillium grandiflorum f. striatum

GBIF Accepted Name: Trillium grandiflorum (Michx.) Salisb.