Our stands of it are blooming quite well this year; though it is shorter in height this year which is probably due to last year’s drought stunting the reserves of the plant.

A slow-growing plant, it is entirely reliant on that set of three leaves on that delicate stem to store energy in the rather small rhizome for next year. One set, one shot for the year. If broken, a mature plant will usually survive, but take years to bloom again. So how does one weed about it if the competing growth threatens to win out? The short answer is carefully. The better answer is with a pair of scissors. I try to clip any competing growth that is within the clump or within an inch or so of the trillium that could overtop it.This gives it the sunlight and more moisture as well as creating a better area for seedling germination.

The seeds may either germinate where they fall (if they get buried deep enough) or may be carried elsewhere, usually by ants (the scent of the seeds is designed to attract them) but sometimes by an animal that has eaten the seed pod.

Our clumps have finally spread beyond one tight group, which is a good thing.