Trillium sulcatum (dark form) - The Rainbow Wake-robin makes a lovely stand with tri-petaled flowers setting atop a fine pedicel over large, broad green leaves. Flower color is chocolate maroon. The Rainbow Wake Robin prefers slightly acid woodland soil in open to dappled shade. Trillium sulcatum had been lumped with T. erectum but was finally designated as a species unto itself. Trillium may arrive bare root or potted.
Trillium is a magnificent woodland genus; most of the 49 taxa (49 according to Don Jacobs whose authority I accept) grace us with their presence right here in North America, a handful in East Asia and nowhere else. They are spring bloomers with many becoming dormant by midsummer. Their structure is basic, this from “American Treasures” by Don L. Jacobs and Rob L. Jacobs: “Adult individuals produce no basal foliage, only a whorl of 3 leaves at the stem summit. Furthermore, all floral parts are in whorls of three: 3 sepals, 3 petals, and 3 seed-bearing carpels jointed into a single pistil with 3 pollen-receptor stigmas.” Henceforth, the “Tri” in Trillium makes simple and elegant sense. Be assured: none of our woodland plants are wild collected. Site Trillium in fertile draining soil in part sun to open shade. They are tolerant of dry summer shade. All our plants are offered by division of their slow growing rhizomes.