Red Trillium

Trillium erectum

Red Trillium is a perennial for edging, groundcover, suited to shade and partial shade and loam or acid soil, flowering Apr, May.

Where to use it in a border

At around 35 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 30 cm of room to spread, roughly 3 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 4a to 8a, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of shade, acid soil, pollinator-friendly plants.

Border Builder uses Red Trillium's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
• It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Black Cohoshfor height behind it
• Cinnamon Fernfor height behind it
• Dutchman's Breechesto edge in front
• Evergreen Huckleberryfor height behind it
• Foxglovefor height behind it
• Fringed Bleeding Heartto edge in front

Garden styles

Native Shade cottage Woodland