woodland wildflower
Painted trillium
Trillium undulatum
Also known as Painted Wakerobin
1 of 2Native to the Northeast and the Southeast and southern Canada
Quebec to Ontario, south to New Jersey and Pennsylvania; also uplands to Georgia
- Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 3–7 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 16 in to 41 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for sun through shade and evenly moist soil. Its white and pink flowers peak in May. At up to 16 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–7.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Painted trillium's white and pink flowers bloom April to June, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws flower flies and beetles.
Painted trillium blooms white & pinkFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Flower flies Greater Bee Fly also Carposcalis confusa, Symmetric Globetail
- Beetles Anthaxia expansa also Evodinus monticola
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Northeast and the Southeast and southern CanadaUnited States (19): CT, GA, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV. Canada (5): NB, NS, ON, PE, QC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Quebec to Ontario, south to New Jersey and Pennsylvania; also uplands to GeorgiaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–7 · Canadian 2–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, acid sandsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Acid to neutralThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 16 in (to 41 cm)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.2 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, PinkThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- Berry; ripens Jun–AugThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- Poisonous if eatenWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.