Trillium erectum

Trillium erectum is part of a group of wild plants native to North America and Asia. They are quite rare in cultivation, but are highly sought after by collectors of rare and precious plants. This American species bears large dark red flowers, which are unusual and beautiful. It is relatively easy to grow by knowledgeable gardeners, in moist non-limestone soil. Rising above a cluster of leaves, its star-shaped flower blooms in spring, emitting an unpleasant scent intended to attract pollinating flies. It will be stunning when planted en masse in a wooded garden or in an exotic-inspired bed. It should always grow in filtered light.

Trillium erectum, long classified in the Liliaceae family, now belongs to the Melanthiaceae family. It is a distant North American cousin of the fragrant Solomon's seal that populates European forests. It is native to the eastern United States, from eastern Canada to Georgia, where it blooms in spring in deciduous forests, before the trees leaf out. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit for its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden.

Trilliums are unique plants that do not develop true stems or true leaves. The vegetation that emerges in spring is just a flowering structure, composed of an erect petiole, which is an extension of the rhizome. This structure bears a colourful flower that rises above bracts resembling leaves. The tiny and scale-like true leaves are located on the flower's petiole.

Trillium erectum is an herbaceous and perennial plant. It grows in spring from a fleshy and thick underground rhizome that does not like to be disturbed. It goes dormant as soon as the soil dries out, either during summer or in autumn due to the cold. The plant produces thin leafy stems that stand 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in) above the ground. Thanks to its rhizomes, it will slowly form small colonies occupying at least 30cm (12in) of ground. Each stem bears only 3 beautiful leaves inserted at the same level on the stem, arranged horizontally in a collar-like formation. The vibrant green 20cm (8in) long leaves are rounded to lanceolate in shape, beautifully undulated, and display prominent parallel veins.

Flowering occurs in April-May, depending on the climate. They appear 3 or 4 cm (1 or 2in) above the trio of leaves. The flower is slightly inclined, measuring 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in) wide. It is composed of 3 slender and slightly recurved petals in a deep red colour, nestled between 3 small triangular sepals of a vibrant green colour, arranged in a staggered pattern. This flowering emits a scent of decomposed meat, which attracts pollinating flies. Each flower lasts 2 to 3 weeks before wilting. This species is very difficult to propagate by sowing. The seeds are often dispersed by ants. Plants grown from seeds can take several years before flowering.

Trillium erectum is slow to establish, but it is a faithful plant that lives for a long time and requires little care when it thrives. It should be planted in groups of 3 specimens in a shaded woodland or under dappled sunlight (introduce multiple plants in a small area). It prefers humus-rich, non-limestone soil that remains moist for as long as possible. It pairs well with other small perennials that enjoy the same conditions, but with staggered flowering or interesting foliage: consider ophiopogons, saxifrages, small ferns, and asarums. It can also be grown in pots, with careful monitoring of watering. In the ground or in pots, it always looks wonderful with Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana, which takes over after its flowering.

The Latin name Trillium derives from the fact that the different parts of these plants are ternary: 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.