wood lily
Trillium sessile
USDA zones4 to 8
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size6 to 12 inches tall6 to 12 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Maroon to brownish purple to dark red
- Foliage color
- Green, variegated
- Soil types
- Sand, loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Wood lily (Trillium sessile) is a perennial for shade gardens, woodland settings, and naturalized areas. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and average to moist, sandy or loamy soil. The maroon flowers look closed and sit right above three mottled leaves. It is a spring ephemeral that may go dormant by summer. It may sulk a bit in its second year before settling in, so be patient.
Pairs well with Bellwort, Yellow trout-lily, Royal fern, and Western sword fern.
Native range
Northeastern United States.