Trillium catesbaei

Trillium catesbaei (synonym T. stylosum) is part of a group of small wild plants native to North America and Asia, quite rare in cultivation, highly sought after by collectors of rare and precious plants. The catesbyi species, which is charming in its own right, is also one of the easiest to grow. Its small pendulous lily-like flowers, white or pink, appear quite early in spring, just beneath a canopy of large dark green decorative leaves, reminiscent of Solomon's seals. It is a hardy plant that thrives in shade and coolness, making it a jewel in a rock garden or a small shaded border. It pairs perfectly with acid-loving shrubs, accompanied by other perennials with staggered flowering times that enjoy the same conditions.

Trillium catesbaei, formerly classified in the Lily family, now belongs to the Melanthiaceae family. It is a distant North American cousin of the fragrant Solomon's Seal that populates European woodlands. It is native to the southeastern United States, where it blooms in spring in forests, on rather acidic soil, and often on the banks of rivers, at the base of mountain laurels (Kalmia latifolia).

A herbaceous perennial, it grows in spring from a rhizome and goes dormant underground as soon as the soil dries up in late spring or autumn. It produces thin, violet-tinged leafy stems, both erect and trailing, 25cm (10in) tall. Thanks to its rhizomes, this Trillium slowly forms colonies covering at least 30 m (12in) of ground. Each stem bears 3 beautiful leaves inserted at the same level on the stem and arranged in a fan shape. The leaves are ovate, pointed, dark green with prominent parallel veins. Flowering takes place in April-May, earlier or later depending on the climate, at the end of the stems. Each stem bears a delicately pendulous flower, 4cm (2in) in diameter, composed of 3 recurved petals like certain lilies. They can be pink or white, depending on the clones, sometimes almost purple, and always adorned with visible veins. This flowering is followed by the formation of small green oval fruits containing only one seed, which will be dispersed by ants. Plants grown from seeds can take up to 10 years to flower.

A bit slow to establish, this Trillium catesbaei is nonetheless faithful, lives a long time, and requires little care where it thrives. It can be planted in shaded areas or dappled sunlight (introduce several plants in a small area) to accompany the spring blooms of Kalmia, Pieris, Azaleas or Rhododendrons that enjoy the same conditions. In a consistently cool rock garden, it can be paired with other small perennials with staggered flowering times or interesting foliage, such as Ophiopogons, saxifrages, small ferns, Asarums... It can also be grown in pots, with careful attention to watering. Whether in the ground or in pots, it pairs well with Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana which takes over once it finishes flowering.

The Latin name Trillium derives from the fact that the different parts of these plants are in threes: from the unique cluster of three leaves on each stem to the construction of the flower, composed of 3 green sepals, 3 coloured petals, six stamens, and 3 fused carpels.