Trillium flexipes aka Nodding Trillium

Trillium flexipes is a woodland perennial called nodding wakerobin. It belongs to the Melanthiaceae family. Its native range spans eastern and central North America. This includes southern Ontario and the mountains of North Carolina. Most growth takes place in early spring. Trees above it have not yet opened their leaves. The plant forms clumps from thick underground rhizomes. These spread slowly when left in place.

Garden plants reach 1.5–2 feet [0.46–0.61 metres] tall. They spread about 1–1.5 feet [0.30–0.46 metres] wide. RHS gives a broader height range reaching 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Each smooth, pale green stem has no branches. Three broad, green, leaf-like bracts form a ring near its top. Their edges are smooth, with blunt tips and wedge-shaped bases. The foliage dies back by midsummer. Dry soil can bring this dieback forward.

Flowers open from April to May on short stalks. Each bloom has three white petals and three narrow green sepals. Six stamens sit within the flower. Blooms may face outward or droop beneath the bracts. Some flowers have red tones, though white is usual. Flowers reach about 0.2 feet [0.06 metres] across. Red, berry-like capsules follow, with six sections inside. In North Carolina, these fruits ripen in July. Ants carry the seeds away. Small mammals also eat the fruits and seeds.

Grow this plant in partial or full shade. It needs rich soil that holds moisture but drains well. Loam with plenty of organic matter suits it. Leaf litter helps keep the soil moist and cool. Give it regular water rather than letting it dry out. Sources differ on pH, supporting acid through alkaline conditions. Hot summers do not suit this species. It grows in USDA zones 4–7 and has RHS rating H5. Seeds can take five to seven years to produce flowers.

Use clumps in shaded woodland gardens or naturalized areas. Ferns and other spring wildflowers make suitable companions. Bees, yellow jackets, and other insects visit the flowers. Two moth species use it as a larval host. Serious pest and disease problems are uncommon. Slugs and snails may feed on the plant. Leaf spot, rust, and smut can also occur. It needs no pruning but resents transplanting. Leave wild plants undisturbed.