The Bold And Beautiful Plant That Gives A Tropical Look To A Shaded Flower Bed

Among the dozens of trillium species that exist, one looms large — literally. The aptly named large-flowered trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) towers above other trilliums while also boasting huge flowers and glossy leaves. Although they're adapted to cool northern climes, the showy blooms lend a tropical look to shady, woodsy gardens. The common white variety is impressive, but for a splash of color, consider growing pink trillium (Trillium grandiflorum f. roseum) instead.

Pink trillium often occurs naturally in the wild, happily rubbing elbows with common white trilliums. Fortunately, gardeners also have the option of growing the colorful, tropical-looking flower in their own backyards. Each pink trillium plant produces one bloom per stem. But what a showy flower it is! The beautiful pink flowers brighten up shady areas of your yard. The blooms are large and fleshy, measuring an impressive 5 inches across. The plants themselves are up to 18 inches tall and 12 inches across, with plenty of dark green foliage.

Both pink and white large-flowered trilliums grow reliably in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4 to 8. Intriguingly, the white flowers of Trillium grandiflorum change to pink toward the end of their lives, creating a sea of blush shades if you plant both varieties together in a bed. Better yet, plant several pink trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum f. roseum) under a tree or in an otherwise shaded garden bed to brighten even the darkest areas.

You can grow pink trillium from seeds or rhizomes divisions, but you may have trouble finding them for sale. Look for native plant societies in your area, which may organize seed or plant exchanges between members or the general public. Some specialist native and wildflower nurseries also sell seeds. Keep in mind that a pink trillium takes at least two years to produce flowers when grown from seed. If you're a lover of wildflowers and rare plants, however, the wait will be worth it.

Soak pink trillium seeds overnight or for a full day before sowing them in seedling trays. Alternatively, sow them directly into the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Press the seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep into the soil. Rhizomes do best when planted in late summer or early fall. Growing plants may spread outward from their original planting area, but they don't do so rapidly.

This shade-loving perennial is perfectly at home in your woodland garden, where it gets the partial to full shade it prefers. Pink trilliums need moist but not boggy soil. Supplement their water during dry periods and add a layer of leaf mulch in fall. Plant these pretty natives in masses, spacing them about 12 inches apart. Because pink trilliums go dormant by mid-summer, it can be helpful to interplant them with other groundcovers that thrive in the shade and add beauty to a garden, such as spiky Halberd-leaf violet or Meehan's mint.