Plant Profile: Painted Trillium

Trilliums are perennials native to the eastern portion of North American, often found growing wild in woodland regions. The name “trillium” means “three,” which describes this plant perfectly. Trilliums have three leaves that appear in the spring followed by three sepals that arch backwards to show off a flower with three large, pointed petals. The most familiar trillium is Trillium grandiflorum, also known as the snow trillium, giant white trillium, or white wakerobin. There are actually numerous varieties of trilliums, which can be found in an array of colors; however, the painted trillium (T. undulatum) is one with which many people may not be familiar and one which is considered an endangered species in some states.

The painted trillium has the three dark-green whorled leaves with sharp points typical of all trilliums and grow to be 8-20 inches tall. The standard three-petaled flowers are white with reddish-pink V-shaped markings emanating from the eye of the bloom. The flowers bloom from mid- to late-spring, with the foliage remaining for about two months after the blooms have faded. Sometimes red berries are produced in the summer after which the plant goes dormant.

Painted trilliums are native to the Tennessee mountains, as well as the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina. They also range northward into Canada, specifically from Ontario to Nova Scotia. Trilliums can also be found westward into Michigan and Wisconsin. So many plant collectors have harvested painted trilliums that they have begun to disappear from the wild. As a result, the painted trillium is considered threatened, vulnerable, or endangered in Kentucky, Michigan, New York, and Ohio. It should also be noted that painted trilliums found in the wild do not generally transplant well either; however, there are more and more nurseries growing this perennial, which means that you can purchased nursery-grown plants rather than harming the fragile wild populations.

To grow painted trilliums, plant seedlings in a shady area, similar to where they would be found in the wild, in half soil and half compost with lots of leaf litter. (They can be started from seed; however, you may find yourself waiting 5-15 years for them to flower.) Trilliums to take a few years before they start blooming, which means that you should plant them en masse to achieve a better look in the woodland garden. (Trilliums spread slowly through underground rhizomes.) Once planted, painted trilliums will never have to be divided. In fact, they really do not like to be disturbed at all. If you absolutely must divide them, carefully lift the entire colony in the spring just as new growth begins to appear and separate. An even better way is to mark the spot in the spring and then divide the colony in the fall after the plants have gone dormant.

Painted trilliums are excellent plants for the woodland garden. They make good companions for Jack-in-the-pulpit and crested iris. Once established, they are easy-care perennials.

References:
Hodgson, Larry. Perennials for Every Purpose. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Organic Living Books, 2000.

Appalachian Mountain Club. Painted Trillium.

USA National Phenology Network. Trillium undulatum.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Trillium undulatum.