Western Trillium

Trillium ovatum

Western Trillium is a bulb for bulb layer, groundcover, suited to shade and partial shade and loam or acid soil, flowering Apr, May, Jun.

Where to use it in a border

At around 40 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 5a to 8b and rated H6 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.

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

Border Builder uses Western 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.
• Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
• 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
• Cascade Oregon Grapeto edge in front
• Chinese Wild Gingerto edge in front
• Dusky cranesbill 'Samobor'to edge in front
• Foxglovefor height behind it
• Fringed Bleeding Heartto edge in front

Garden styles

Shade cottage Wildlife garden Woodland