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Trillium recurvatum (Prairie trillium, Bloody butcher, Purple wakerobin, Wood lily, Trinity flower)

Trillium recurvatum Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner



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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Trillium recurvatum TRILL-ee-um ray-kur-VAY-tum Common Name: Prairie trillium, Bloody butcher, Purple wakerobin, Wood lily, Trinity flower Genus: Trillium
This is one of the first and most plentiful Trilliums to bloom in the spring. It has upright maroon blossoms (occasionally white or yellow) without stalks, and its leaves can be nicely mottled. It grows to 12-18 inches tall and 8-12 inches wide.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Most trilliums are native to woodlands and scrub of North America. When grown in groups or en masse, they make an elegant understory planting in a woodland or shady naturalized area. Since they go dormant in summer, plant trilliums 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 Native; Self Seeds; Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage
Bloom Time Early Spring
Foliage Color Colorful/Burgundy Foliage
Flower Color Brown Flower; Red Flower; White Flower; Yellow Flower
Uses Ground Covers, Naturalizing
Style Shade, Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest
Type Perennials

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