Trillium sessile (Toadshade)
Noted for its subtle beauty, Trillium sessile (Toadshade) is a clump-forming rhizomatous perennial producing whorls of broadly oval, deep green leaves handsomely marbled with pale, silvery green and bronze-maroon. In mid to late spring, stalkless, upright, wine-red to burgundy flowers, 2 in. tall (5 cm), appear in the center of the three-leaf whorl.
Noted for its subtle beauty, Trillium sessile (Toadshade) is a clump-forming rhizomatous perennial producing whorls of broadly oval, deep green leaves handsomely marbled with pale, silvery green and bronze-maroon. In mid to late spring, stalkless, upright, wine-red to burgundy flowers, 2 in. tall (5 cm), appear in the center of the three-leaf whorl. The petals stand up straight and barely open. 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. This is one of the earliest blooming trilliums.
- Grows up to 6-12 in. tall and wide (15-30 cm). 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. Mulch in fall with leaves.
- Excellent when massed in shaded woodland gardens, naturalized areas or wildflower gardens.
- 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 seed is ripe; takes 5-7 years to reach flowering size. Propagate rhizomes by division after flowering
- Native to the northeastern United States.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4 – 8 |
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Heat Zones | 1 – 8 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Trillium – Wake Robins |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid,Late) |
Height | 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 6″ – 12″ (15cm – 30cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Northeast, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |