White Trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

Native to:
Canada, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Melanthiaceae
Genus:
Trillium
Species:
Trillium grandiflorum
USDA Symbol:
TRGR4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Geophyte
Height:
45 cm
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
white, pink

Reported Fauna Sightings

Butterflies:🛑West Virginia white (Pieris virginiensis)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
ants, small mammals

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
good drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers shaded forest floors

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
365–730 days
Notes:
Double dormancy requiring warm then cold stratification; seeds may take 2+ years to germinate. Hypogeal germination produces root first year, leaf second year.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold-warm-cold stratified

Establishment: T. grandiflorum is found within temperate deciduous forests of North America.

Source: npn.rngr.net

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow immediately, Either the viability of these seeds is short or the species propagates best with fresh seed. Stored seed might be coaxed into germination with temperature cycling and patience. Expose to fluctuation outdoor winter temperatures including freezing for 3 months. Gradually increase light and temperature in the spring. Germination is improved by using GA3. * Hydrophilic; Seeds must be stored cold and moist. During 3 months @ 20° a radicle is formed. Then 4°C for at least 86 days will trigger emergence of a cotyledon which will appear as the temperature increases in spring. No more leaves are formed that year. If sown early enough, a cotyledon may emerge first spring but usually not until second spring. Keep seeds in pots for 2 years

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society