Common names: Big White Trillium Binomial name: Trillium grandiflorum Garden uses: flowers Foliage: Each plant produces only three leaves (actually bracts) per stem below the blossom. Leaves are almost as wide as they are long, smooth-edged, and come to a point. Flowers: Three-parted, one per stem. Petals are white, becoming streaked with pink as the blossom ages. Wisconsin native range: found throughout Wisconsin in woods and forests The big white trillium is another spring ephemeral plant species. Like all Trillium species, the above-ground parts of this plant - leaves, petals, and sepals - occur in threes. It spreads by rhizomes, often forming patches of genetically identical plants. Trilliums do best in partial shade, preferring well-drained soil conditions. While it is possible to propagate trilliums from seed, the seeds can take many years to germinate. Propagation by rhizomes is easier; carefully dig soil away from the rhizome after all above-ground parts of the plant have died back and divide, making sure that each rhizome section has a bud on it. | |