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Trillium grandiflorum

Large-flowered Trillium

$3.00

Packet
$3.00

Bare Root Plants
Out of Stock

Commonly called White Trillium, Great White Trillium or Snow Trillium, this plant is a "must-have" for any woodland area in the Midwest or Northeast.  Trillium grandiflorum's stunning white flowers can reach 4" in diameter and will take on an equally head-turning pink hue when reaching the end of their bloom cycle (see corresponding photos for the pink-tinted flowers).

The common name Wake Robin is less used today, but it no doubt referred to the early April and May bloom time, corresponding with the appearance of the Robin.  Trilliums are members of the Lily family.

It can be difficult to grow from seed.  We are quoting William Cullina of the New England Wildflower Society and his book Guide to Growing and Propagating Wildflowers: "Seed that is cleaned and sown immediately outdoors in late summer will send out a root the next spring and a long narrow cotyledon the spring after that.  After a couple more years, the young plant should be large enough to plant in the garden."
 
Cullina gives this germination advice for genus Trillium: "Seeds germinate only after multiple cycles of warm and cold, typically 40 degrees, 70 degrees, 40, 70."

*This species may be difficult and/or slow to germinate and grow to maturity. Please note the germination code. Seed of this species is kept under refrigeration (33-38 F) in our warehouse. The days in transit to you in colder or warmer conditions won’t harm the seed, but it should be put back in refrigeration until you are ready to plant or apply pre-sowing treatment.

Live Plant Shipping Table

Spring Fall Age/Size
Dormant Bare Roots April/May October 2-3 years

Trillium grandiflorum - Large-flowered Trillium

Map Key

Present in state
Present but introduced in county
Present and native in county; not rare
Not present in state
Present and native in county; rare
Species extirpated (historic)
State or county listed as noxious
Present in state; exotic

This map shows the native and introduced (adventive) range of this species. Given appropriate habitat and climate, native plants can be grown outside their range.

3 Questions asked on Trillium grandiflorum

Can this plant do well even with no direct sunlight, or is it a plant that depends on some early spring direct sunlight before trees have leafed out? I’m wondering how it might do in a spot with building shade that gets only indirect light.
HI Hans. Or for sure - it will do well even if there is not direct spring-time sun on the plants. I have a few plants in the back of my house (by the air conditioning unit!) that gets no direct sunlight and they bloom. They aren't spreading for now, but I'm hopeful they will as they are only 5 years old
Do you know if it would be okay to sow this plant now (April) versus later in the summer?
Hi Matthew, For this species, it is best if you can plant when the seed is fresh, as soon as you can (Germination Code L). Be sure to have patience with this conservative plant; if sowed this spring, the earliest you can expect to see germination is 2 years from now (Germination Code F).
Any idea if this plant can handle occasional standing water? I’d like to put it in a shade raingarden.
Hi Anne, I have not heard of this plant being used in rain gardens. It may struggle with the fluctuating soil moisture. You could certainly do some experimenting though! Alternatively, you might be interested in this list of shady rain garden plants according to the University of Wisconsin Extension.

Seed

Growing your own plants from seed is the most economical way to add natives to your home. Before you get started, one of the most important things to know about the seeds of wild plants is that many have built-in dormancy mechanisms that prevent the seed from germinating. In nature, this prevents a population of plants from germinating all at once, before killing frosts, or in times of drought. To propagate native plants, a gardener must break this dormancy before seed will grow.

Each species is different, so be sure to check the GERMINATION CODE listed on the website, in the catalog, or on your seed packet. Then, follow the GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS prior to planting. Some species don't need any pre-treatment to germinate, but some species have dormancy mechanisms that must be broken before the seed will germinate. Some dormancy can be broken in a few minutes, but some species take months or even years.

Seed dormancy can be broken artificially by prolonged refrigeration of damp seed in the process of cold/moist STRATIFICATION. A less complicated approach is to let nature handle the stratifying through a dormant seeding, sowing seeds on the surface of a weed-free site in late fall or winter. Tucked safely beneath the snow, seeds will be conditioned by weathering to make germination possible in subsequent growing seasons.

To learn more, read our BLOG: How to Germinate Native Seeds

Dormant Bare Root Plants

We dig plants when they are dormant from our outdoor beds and ship them April-May and October. Some species go dormant in the summer and we can ship them July/August. We are among the few still employing this production method, which is labor intensive but plant-friendly. They arrive to you dormant, with little to no top-growth (bare-root), packed in peat moss. They should be planted as soon as possible. Unlike greenhouse-grown plants, bare-root plants can be planted during cold weather or anytime the soil is not frozen. A root photo is included with each species to illustrate the optimal depth and orientation. Planting instructions/care are also included with each order.

Download: Installing Your Bare-Root Plants

Potted Plants

3-packs and trays of 32, 38, or 50 plants leave our Midwest greenhouses based on species readiness (being well-rooted for transit) and order date; Spring shipping is typically early May through June, and Fall shipping is mid-August through September. Potted 3-packs and trays of 38 plugs are started from seed in the winter so are typically 3-4 months old when they ship. Trays of 32/50 plugs are usually overwintered so are 1 year old. Plant tray cells are approximately 2” wide x 5” deep in the trays of 38 and 50, and 2.5" wide x 3.5" deep in the 3-packs and trays of 32; ideal for deep-rooted natives. Full-color tags and planting & care instructions are included with each order.

Download: Planting and Care of Potted Plants

*please note, we are a mail order nursery and have no retail facilities, but you may pick up your order if prior arrangements are made. Pick up orders are subject to *MN Sales Tax.

Shipping & Handling Charges
SEED$100.00 and under: $5.00
over $100.00: 5% of the total seed cost

BARE ROOT PLANTS$50.00 and under: $7.50
over $50.00: 15% of the total plant cost

*MN State Sales Tax of 7.375% is applied for orders shipping to Minnesota only. Shipping & Handling Charges are also subject to the sales tax.

Shipping Season

SEED, TOOLS and BOOKS are sent year-round. Most orders ship within a day or two upon receipt.

BARE ROOT PLANTS are shipped during optimal transplanting time: Spring (April-May) and Fall (Oct). Some ephemeral species are also available for summer shipping. Since our plants are field-grown, Nature sets the schedule each year as to when our season will begin and end. We fill all orders, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to the best of our ability depending on weather conditions beyond our control.

*We are unable to ship PLANTS outside the contiguous US or to California due to regulations.

Delivery

We ship using USPS, UPS and Spee Dee. UPS and Spee Dee are often used for expediting plant orders; they will not deliver to Post Office Box numbers, so please also include your street address if ordering plants.

FOR MORE DETAILED SHIPPING INFORMATION, INCLUDING CANADA SHIPPING RATES (SEED ONLY), PLEASE SEE 'SHIPPING' AT THE FOOTER OF THIS WEBSITE.

Details

Seeds/Packet
20
Seeds/Ounce
2,300
Germination Code
F
L
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Exposure
Partial, Shade
Soil Moisture
Medium-Wet, Medium
Height
12 inches
Bloom Time
April, May, June
Bloom Color
White
Advantages
Highly recommended for home landscaping
USDA Zones
3-8
Plant Spacing
10-14"
Catalog Code
TRI02F