Toxic Plant Connu comme étant toxique - All parts of white trillium should be considered poisonous if eaten, particularly the roots and berries. Eating the plant can cause gastrointestinal upset and other symptoms.
Image of Trillium grandiflorum
Source: OWSL

Plant Names

image of Plante à fleurs
Trillium grandiflorum
White Trillium
Trille blanc

Synonyms

great white trillium
large-flowered trillium
snow trillium
white wakerobin
trille à grande fleur
trille grandiflore

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Blanc Bloom Period: Apr - Jun
Hauteur max: 1,0 feet
Max Width: 1,2 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année (Spring Ephemeral)
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Ne se propage pas de manière incontrôlable
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
Landscape Uses:
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

White Trillium forms a single stem topped with three broad, green leaves and one large, three-petalled white flower. The flowers appear in spring, often fading to pink or rose as they age. After flowering, a green berry develops and eventually matures. It is an excellent choice for a native woodland or shade garden. It is very slow to establish, particularly when grown from seed.
Once established, it can form beautiful colonies over many years. Keep soil evenly moist, especially while plants are establishing. A layer of naturally decomposing leaves is beneficial and helps replicate woodland conditions.

White Trilium should not be disturbed; their underground rhizomes can be damaged easily. Do not cut the foliage while it is still green. The leaves need to remain attached after flowering so the plant can replenish its underground food reserves. The plant naturally goes dormant in early to mid-summer. This is normal. Mark its location so that it isn't accidentally dug up after the foliage disappears. Plants grown from seed can take several years to reach flowering size, so patience is essential.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Trillium grandiflorum
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Plaines boréales
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Trillium grandiflorum

Specialized Bees Supported by Trillium grandiflorum

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Plantago (Non-Native Plantain)
  • Lamium (Dead nettle)
  • Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed)
  • Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny)
  • Iridaceae (Crocus)
  • Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill)
  • Salvia (Non-Native Sage)
  • Hyacinthus (Non-Native Hyacynth)
  • Petunia (Non-Native Petunias)
  • Myosotis sylvatica (Forget-me-not)
  • Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Couvrir très légèrement
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Notes: Double dormancy.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: July
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting:
    • Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage:
    • Garder humide et frais, dans un sac refermable au frigo, avec les graines dans du sol, du papier essuie-tout ou un filtre à café, jusqu'au don
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

All parts of white trillium should be considered poisonous if eaten, particularly the roots and berries. Eating the plant can cause gastrointestinal upset and other symptoms.