Trillium cuneatum

Common Names

Little Sweet Betsy, Sweet Betsy, Bloody Butcher, Whippoorwill Flower, Purple Toadshade, Toadshade, Wake Robin, Wood Lily, Toad Trillium, Hugher's Trillium

Summary

Trillium cuneatum is a rhizomatous perennial native to the southeastern United States, growing in rich upland woods, often on limestone soils, at elevations around 50–400 m; it is among the largest eastern sessile trilliums, forming a clump with three mottled green-to-purple leaves and a single sessile flower borne on bracts above the leaves, with maroon to bronze petals that may be greenish-purple or yellow and a banana-scented fragrance. It prefers moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in part to full shade, with soil kept evenly moist and fall mulch recommended; plants reach about 30–45 cm tall and spread slowly by underground rhizomes; propagation is possible by dividing overcrowded clumps after flowering or by sowing fresh seeds in situ or in pots, with seeds dispersed by ants; hardy in USDA zones 5–8 and well suited for woodland gardens and native plant landscapes, providing wildlife value by attracting pollinators and serving as a larval host.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-18 inches

Spread

6-12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, humus-rich loamy soil, calcareous/limestone

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.6-7.5, Neutral pH

Bloom Color

Highly variable bloom color with colors including maroon, maroon-purple, brownish purple, bronze, greenish purple, green, yellow-green, pale lemon yellow, or two-colored (yellow distally with purple base), and flowers may open or fade to bright copper bronze.

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green to purplish green, mottled.

Fall Foliage Color

Bronze and bright copper, light maroon, variegated white and green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Winter and Spring

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and moths