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Trillium erectum (Red trillium, Purple trillium, Stinking Benjamin, Woodlily, Wakerobin, Trinity flower)

Trillium erectum Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner



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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Trillium erectum TRILL-ee-um ee-REK-tum Common Name: Red trillium, Purple trillium, Stinking Benjamin, Woodlily, Wakerobin, Trinity flower Genus: Trillium
This trillium has upright or outward-facing blossoms of chocolate or reddish-purple, or occasionally white or yellow. At close range, it bears an unpleasant scent. It blooms in mid- to late spring, and grows from 14-20 inches tall and a foot wide.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Most trilliums are native to woodlands and scrub of North America. They make elegant understory plants when grouped in a woodland or shady, naturalized area. Since they go dormant in the summer, plant trilliums with other shade-loving perennials to share their place until they reappear the following spring. 
 Care: Provide rich, moist, well-drained soil with a neutral to acidic pH. Plant in full to part shade and add an annual mulch of rich organic matter.
 Propagation: Trilliums propagate readily by division when plants are dormant in late summer or early fall.
 Problems: Smut, rust, fungal spots, slugs, snails.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 6 in. to 12 in.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Part Shade to Full Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Fragrant Flowers; Native; Self Seeds; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Late Spring; Spring
Flower Color Brown Flower; Red Flower; White Flower; Yellow Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Naturalizing
Style Shade, Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest
Type Perennials

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