Pacific Trillium
Trillium ovatum
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
The Cosmonaut
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Melanthiaceae
- Genus:
- Trillium
- Species:
- Trillium ovatum
- USDA Symbol:
- TROV2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Geophyte
- Height:
- 45 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- ants, beetles
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded forest understory
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 365–730 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require double dormancy with warm period followed by cold stratification. Germination is very slow, often taking 1-2 years or more.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds require cold-moist stratification before germination.
Source: Claude AI
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. * seeds must be stored cold and moist; germination is unlikely after storage >6 months; if seeds are received dry, try hydrating in damp paper towel @ 20°C for 1 week; 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