Comments on: Trillium Grandiflorum Rhizomes 12 Months Later

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:36:40 +0000

Toras, I was pleasantly surprised when they finally appeared above ground and flowered. They came back again for the second time last year, and flowered well, so I think the rhizomes were actually quite healthy. They just need patience. The plastic packages turned out to be an inexpensive way to purchase them, and they did eventually grow well.

The foliage then dies back in later summer, giving room for other perennials around them. Good luck with growing them on until a fall planting.

By: Toras

Toras — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:06:59 +0000

Hi, similar story here in Toronto. Bought and planted rhizomes from plastic packages last spring, nothing happened all year, then this year 3 of the 4 popped up. This year at a garden show, I saw the same brand of rhizomes, but they were all sprouting in the bags! so I got 4 more and am growing them indoors until I plant them out in the fall (2 of which look like they would flower).

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:15:10 +0000

Amanda, I’m not sure how long mine were on the shelf at the store before I bought them. My Trilliums were planted in the ground, and the area was watered, so I don’t think they dried out too much after planting. I found it odd that they were in the ground with no sign of green above ground for a little over 12 months. I even had another one pop up after 14 months. They are very resilient to remain alive underground, with no photosynthesizing to supply extra energy. They seem able to handle dormancy for a while. When the plants did arise, the foliage was very healthy, but they didn’t get blooms yet. I’m hoping that they bloom next spring.

Has your ground frozen yet? If not, I would try planting them now. You could cover them with the fall leaves, if you have any. It would help insulate them, and they would feel right at home in spring with the woodsy mulch.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:44:01 +0000

Hi Northern Shade

I know this reply is so much later than the rest, but I just stumbled across it. I have about 6 trillium plants that were in bio-pots and never did get planted. How long were yours on the shelf for? I would love to try them again next spring but am worried that the entire rhizome has dried out. I’m excited as they are all yellow trilliums. Do you think they would be safe to over winter in the garage and try again in April?

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:26:59 +0000

Rebecca, it’s tempting to give up on some plants, and their ability to survive surprises me sometimes. I just found a third trillium in this group this week. It’s amazing to think of the rhizome waiting underground for over a year before sending up some leaves to start photosynthesizing, but I suppose it’s a good survival strategy for waiting out adverse conditions.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:00:18 +0000

I bought an Oregon Stonecrop off the discount table at my favorite garden center a few years ago, at the end of the season. I planted it, and I think it came back the following year but didn’t do much. Then it vanished for 2-3(?) years, and has come back in full force this year. The really odd thing is that it’s about 8-12 inches away from where I planted it, and spreading quickly.

The trilliums are lovely, I also remember them fondly from my youth!

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:42:23 +0000

Joanne, so far the trilliums just have leaves, but no evidence of flowers yet. It’s fun to discover a flower in the garden. It is better than the multitude of maple seedlings in that location.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:07:27 +0000

Hi such lovely plants I am so pleased they were rescued

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:05:25 +0000

Shady Gardener, those leaves burst up very quickly. One day there were none, and then there were those shiny leaves. I didn’t even have to use furniture polish on them. :) Since I planted them so long ago, without a sign of growth, it feels like pretty wildflowers just suddenly appeared in the garden.

By: Shady Gardener

Shady Gardener — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:22:41 +0000

Northern Shade, Is it just the photograph or my eyes that are playing tricks. Are the petals on your plant in the first photo kind of “waxy?” Congratulations on having these begin to grow. I hope they all make it! Isn’t gardening an adventure? :-)