The wake robin, or Trillium erectum, is an easy native wildflower for the spring garden…despite any thought to the contrary that trilliums are finicky. When I came to my property 20 years ago, there were two of these growing under the front porch (true). I rescued them, teased apart the knobby bulb-like structures that they grow from, and today I have hundreds. Well, I have divided a few more times since, but you get the idea: prolific. Site them under deciduous shrubs and trees (not porches). I see that Digging Dog (in my Sources list) has a white-flowered form. I haven’t located a source for the red among nurseries I know, but have seen it at my local garden center among the shade plants.
Hi Margaret, when’s the best time to divide trilliums? Do you wait until the foliage has died down? I’ve got a small stand of erectum (blooming for the first time!). Even if they never bloomed at all the mottled foliage is stunning! And a slightly larger stand of white. Both of which I’d love to increase to create more of a drift. Advice?
Hi, Bobster. I am going to do a post about that, right after they bloom (which is when I will divide them here). There are bulb-like structures below-ground; just tease those apart and plant each one separately.