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Trillium catesbaei

Trillium catesbyi
Catesby's Trillium, Rosy Wake-robin, Bashful Wakerobin

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A charming perennial of fresh woodland, whose delicate, bell-shaped flowers with three inverted petals, white or pink, appear quite early in spring, just below three large dark green leaves. Resistant to cold, it appreciates humus-rich, well-drained soils that remain moist even in summer. This collector's plant is quite easy to cultivate if the conditions are met. A true gem for a rockery or a shady border!
Flower size
4 cm
Height at maturity
25 cm
Spread at maturity
30 cm
Exposure
Partial shade, Shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to May
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Flowering time April to May
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Description

Trillium catesbaei (synonym T. stylosum) is part of a group of small wild plants native to North America and Asia, quite rare in cultivation, highly sought after by collectors of rare and precious plants. The catesbyi species, which is charming in its own right, is also one of the easiest to grow. Its small pendulous lily-like flowers, white or pink, appear quite early in spring, just beneath a canopy of large dark green decorative leaves, reminiscent of Solomon's seals. It is a hardy plant that thrives in shade and coolness, making it a jewel in a rock garden or a small shaded border. It pairs perfectly with acid-loving shrubs, accompanied by other perennials with staggered flowering times that enjoy the same conditions.

 

Trillium catesbaei, formerly classified in the Lily family, now belongs to the Melanthiaceae family. It is a distant North American cousin of the fragrant Solomon's Seal that populates European woodlands. It is native to the southeastern United States, where it blooms in spring in forests, on rather acidic soil, and often on the banks of rivers, at the base of mountain laurels (Kalmia latifolia).

A herbaceous perennial, it grows in spring from a rhizome and goes dormant underground as soon as the soil dries up in late spring or autumn. It produces thin, violet-tinged leafy stems, both erect and trailing, 25cm (10in) tall. Thanks to its rhizomes, this Trillium slowly forms colonies covering at least 30 m (12in) of ground. Each stem bears 3 beautiful leaves inserted at the same level on the stem and arranged in a fan shape. The leaves are ovate, pointed, dark green with prominent parallel veins. Flowering takes place in April-May, earlier or later depending on the climate, at the end of the stems. Each stem bears a delicately pendulous flower, 4cm (2in) in diameter, composed of 3 recurved petals like certain lilies. They can be pink or white, depending on the clones, sometimes almost purple, and always adorned with visible veins. This flowering is followed by the formation of small green oval fruits containing only one seed, which will be dispersed by ants. Plants grown from seeds can take up to 10 years to flower.

 

A bit slow to establish, this Trillium catesbaei is nonetheless faithful, lives a long time, and requires little care where it thrives. It can be planted in shaded areas or dappled sunlight (introduce several plants in a small area) to accompany the spring blooms of Kalmia, Pieris, Azaleas or Rhododendrons that enjoy the same conditions. In a consistently cool rock garden, it can be paired with other small perennials with staggered flowering times or interesting foliage, such as Ophiopogons, saxifrages, small ferns, Asarums... It can also be grown in pots, with careful attention to watering. Whether in the ground or in pots, it pairs well with Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana which takes over once it finishes flowering.

The Latin name Trillium derives from the fact that the different parts of these plants are in threes: from the unique cluster of three leaves on each stem to the construction of the flower, composed of 3 green sepals, 3 coloured petals, six stamens, and 3 fused carpels.

Trillium catesbaei in pictures

Trillium catesbaei (Flowering) Flowering

Plant habit

Height at maturity 25 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time April to May
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 4 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Trillium

Species

catesbyi

Family

Liliaceae (Melanthiaceae)

Other common names

Catesby's Trillium, Rosy Wake-robin, Bashful Wakerobin

Origin

North America

Product reference155711

Planting and care

Trillium catesbaei appreciates rich, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils. Install it in partial shade or not too dense shade. It does not appreciate limestone soils. Plant it so that its rhizome is located 5 or 7cm (2 or 3in) below the surface of the soil. Dig a large hole and add leaf compost and well-decomposed compost at planting. Ensure that the soil never dries out in summer, otherwise the plant may quickly enter dormancy. Trillium catesbaei can withstand cold winters, below -15°C (5°F), even without ground cover. Divide the clumps in spring, after a minimum of 5 to 6 years of cultivation.

This Trillium takes time to establish itself, it is not uncommon to wait 2 years after planting before seeing it flower for the first time.

Gastropods can attack young shoots in spring: make sure to protect them.

1
7,50 € Bag

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to May
Planting depth 5 cm

Intended location

Suitable for Shaded rockery, Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Experienced
Planting density 25 per m2
Exposure Partial shade, Shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil moisture Moist soil, Humus-bearing

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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