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Trillium erectum var. album (White trillium, Stinking Benjamin, Wood lily, Wakerobin)

Trillium erectum var. album Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner



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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Trillium erectum var. album TRILL-ee-um ee-REK-tum variety AL-bum Common Name: White trillium, Stinking Benjamin, Wood lily, Wakerobin Synonyms: T. erectum f. albiflorum Genus: Trillium
This white-flowered form of red trillium has delicate, outward-facing petals with striking dark centers. At close range, it bears an unpleasant scent. Plants bloom in mid- to late spring, and grow to 14-20 inches tall and a foot wide.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Most trilliums are native to woodlands and scrub of North America. They make an elegant understory planting when grown in groups in a woodland or shady, naturalized area. Since trilliums go dormant in summer, plant them with other shade-loving perennials to share their place until they reappear the following spring. 
 Care: Provide rich, moist, but well-drained soil with a neutral to acidic pH. Plant in part to full shade and give them an annual mulch of rich organic matter.
 Propagation: Trilliums propagate readily by division when plants are dormant in late summer or early fall.
 Problems: Smut, rust, fungal spots, slugs, snails.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 6 in. to 12 in.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Part Shade to Full Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Fragrant Flowers; Native; Self Seeds; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Late Spring; Spring
Flower Color White Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Naturalizing
Style Shade, Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest
Type Perennials

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