Photo of Trillium luteum flower, foliage by Dancing Oaks Nursery

Photo by Dancing Oaks Nursery

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Buy Trillium luteum

Also Known As

  • Yellow Toadshade

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 12"-18"
  • W: 12"-18"

planting zones

  • 4a-7b

One bulb | $15

Shipping $7.95, free on orders $49.95 & up

4988 at Sunshine Farm and Gardens

3 bulbs | $40

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4998 at Sunshine Farm and Gardens

5 bulbs | $60

Shipping $7.95, free on orders $49.95 & up

5000 at Sunshine Farm and Gardens

10 bulbs | $95

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4995 at Sunshine Farm and Gardens

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Trillium luteum plant details

Trillium luteum is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green, variegated and white foliage. In spring yellow flowers emerge. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Trillium luteum

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: melanthiaceae
Foliage: deciduous green, variegated and white
Mature size: 12 IN - 18 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring
Uses: bare root shipping available, larger quantity available, mottled leaves, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Trillium luteum

USDA Zones: 4a - 7b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Luxurious Loveable Lemony Looks.... and fragrant to boot!!!
With their bright yellow flowers in early to mid Spring and silvery marbled foliage, Trillium luteum is one plant whose fragrance matches its exotic looks. Their aroma can only be described as a lemony, jasmine scent that creates an intoxicating, fragrant cloud which lasts for quite a while as the flowers are very long lived. You don't even have to get down on your hands and knees to imbibe them, as even on a still day, the air is filled with its presence.
One would think that a plant with such an extraordinary appearance, would be difficult and demanding, but quite the contrary. Trillium luteum is an extremely easy plant to grow in virtually any garden. All you need is "Woodland Conditions", so let me describe that term for you. It's simple to understand - full to bright shade is one aspect and average to well drained soil is another.
I wish I could report that this charming plant is 100&perc; deerproof, but that would be an untruth. Fact is, it doesn't seem to be at the top of Bambi's wish list like Trillium grandiflorum is, but they do sometimes nibble at them. So if your garden isn't fenced from a pack of ravenous venison, you can resort to one of the many effective deer repellents that are on the market.
Depending on soil conditions, this species can reach heights of over 18". The ones in my garden are about 12" - 15" tall, some with leaves over 4" long.
Trillium luteum is native to most of the Southeastern US, MI and ON in Canada. It's hardiness has never been in question and they haven't even batted an eye at -20 °F here. As far as heat tolerance goes, I would say that it can handle anything short of Death Valley CA, given full shade in the deep South or any other areas that climb into the triple digits.
Good companion plants are just about any species of Ferns, Hostas (if you don't have a deer problem) and any other shade loving plant.
The citrus-scented, lemon yellow blooms of Trillium luteum are sessile (without a flower stalk) and thus sit on top of the leaves which are beautifully silver-mottled. Native to the rich, deciduous woods of the eastern US. Trillium are exquisite plants for the shade garden blooming in early to mid spring with their elegant flowers. They are spring ephemerals that may go dormant by summer. Keep in mind that they may go dormant early in the year they are first planted and could sulk a bit in their second year before settling in for beautiful displays for years to come.
The broad foliage of this species is marbled with light green and yellow, echoing the colors of the showy flower. Ours is planted under a Myrica californica with Helleborus x hybridus and Asarum caudatum.
A large yellow trillium similar to trillium cuneatum but with large sweet smelling yellow flowers sitting in the center of the mottled leaves, Luteum and cuneatum will hybridize and to confuse the matter further there are yellow forms of cuneatum and red forms of luteum. Luteum has a lemon scent, while cuneatum is more like Calycanthus, and some of the hybrids have a wonderful apple scent. It is restricted to a rather narrow range near the North Carolina Tennessee border but is very adaptable to gardens outside its range. Note that the woodlanders marked with an * ship either early to mid march or summer dormant.
Blooms: spring, yellow/ dark purple-brown mottled foliage Zone 3-9. 12"-24", Eastern US, part shade-shade, moist, well drained
This pale yellow Trillium is an attractive species in the sessile flowered group. Nicely mottled leaves are especially pronouced in spring becoming more muted as the season progresses. A shade garden without Trilliums is just a yawning chasm of emptiness and need.
Greenish-yellow floral parts standing upright and excellent vigor make this species one all gardeners will enjoy. 14" tall.

Gardening facts about Trillium luteum plant

How to Grow Trillium luteum

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly sun - shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture
  • Soil Needs

    • adaptable
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • variegated
    • white
    • green
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
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