Trillium erectum

Also Known As

Bethroot
Birthroot
Purple Trillium
Red Trillium
Stinking Benjamin
Wakerobin

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 20"
W: 20"

planting zones

4a-9b

More Options

Trillium erectum plant details

Trillium erectum is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In spring purple and red flowers emerge. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Trillium erectum

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: melanthiaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 20 IN wide, 20 IN tall
Flowers: purple and red blooms in spring
Uses: pungent fragrance, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Trillium erectum

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Trillium erectum has deep burgundy-red outward facing blooms. So rich! My clump looked scrumptious last year blooming near Himalayan blue poppies, Carex elata ‘Bowles Golden’ and underplanted with the chartreuse groundcover, Selaginella ‘Aurea’. Native to eastern North America including Quebec and Ontario.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

One of the most striking of all North American Trilliums! The deep maroon blooms are one of only a few native red-colored wildflowers. The large heart-shaped leaves are attractive in their own right. Plant with other low growing woodland wildflowers such as Virginia Bluebells, Shootingstar, and Wild Bleeding Heart. Requires a rich medium to moist soil, and thrives in clay with a good layer of topsoil. Zones 3-7.

By: Prairie Nursery

A wide ranging eastern species typically with maroon red flowers on a stem above the leaves, it forms stunning hybrids with flexipes and indeed is so precocious with other plants in it's section that it can be hard to find a completely pure strain. According to Fred Case, red forms are more common at higher elevations.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Blooms: spring, red/ trifoliate foliage Zone 4-9. 12"-24", Eastern NA, part shade-shade, moist, well drained

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

One of the few self-assertive flowers of the early year... this brilliant young 1-2' friend almost flaunts her [purple-red to pink] petals in our faces, as if to force upon us the welcome news (Dana) of SPRING!! PSH/M

By: Forestfarm

Eastern species with nodding flowers of pure deep red. These are divisions from plants Sue brought from her old nursery in Vermont. Parted with reluctantly and Sue reserves the right to take them back if she deems it appropriate for the welfare of the Trillium.