Trillium vaseyi aka Sweet Wakerobin

Trillium vaseyi, or sweet wakerobin, is a woodland perennial. It belongs to the Melanthiaceae family and grows from rhizomes. Its native range lies in the southeastern United States. It grows in the southern Appalachians, in rich, moist woods. Records cover Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The name honors the plant collector George Richard Vasey.

Garden plants stand about 1–2.5 feet [0.3–0.76 m] tall. RHS gives an upper height of 3.3 feet [1 m]. Spread reaches about 1.6 feet [0.5 m]. The smooth green stems grow upright without branches. Each carries a whorl of three broad, green bracts. These look like leaves and have smooth edges and deep veins. They can reach about 0.66 feet [0.2 m] long. The plant loses its foliage and grows at a slow pace.

Single flowers nod beneath or among the bracts in spring. In North Carolina, bloom runs from April through June. Each flower has three petals that curl back. Three green sepals frame the bloom, with long stamens projecting outward. Most flowers are dark red or maroon; some are white. Blooms can span 0.33 feet [0.1 m]. Sources differ on scent: RHS notes a light fragrance. NC State describes an unpleasant smell. Red to maroon, berry-like capsules follow in summer. In North Carolina, fruits appear from July through August.

Grow this plant in partial to full shade. It prefers moist soil rich in humus, with good drainage. RHS favors neutral to slightly acid soil but notes broader tolerance. Add leaf mould as an autumn mulch. No pruning is needed, and established plants dislike being moved. Seed-grown plants can take five to seven years to flower. Divide rhizomes after bloom as another means of propagation. RHS rates it H4 for UK hardiness. NC State lists USDA zones 3–9; Chicago lists 7–8.

Use it in shaded woodland beds or native plant gardens. It also suits groups beneath shrubs without strong plant competition. Bees, yellow jackets, and other insects visit the flowers. Two moth species use it as a larval host. Ants and small mammals eat its fruits and seeds. Serious problems are uncommon. Watch for aphids, slugs, and snails. Leaf spot, rust, and smut can also occur.