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Trillium cuneatum (Little sweet Betsy)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.5m
Max height
Max height
0.3m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Trillium cuneatum
Other names
Little sweet Betsy, Whip-poor-will flower, Large toadshade, Purple toadshade, Bloody butcher
Genus
Trillium Trillium
Species
T. cuneatum - T. cuneatum is a vigorous, upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with erect stems, each bearing three stalkless, broadly ovate, mid-green leaves, heavily mottled grey-green. Stalkless, fragrant, dark maroon to reddish-brown flowers with erect petals bloom above the leaves in spring.
Trillium cuneatum is: Deciduous
Habit
Upright
Flower
Maroon in Spring
Foliage
Mottled, Grey-green, Mid-green in Spring; Grey-green, Mid-green, Mottled in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Rust Rust
General care
Propagation
Sow seed as soon as ripe in containers in a shaded cold frame.Takes 5-7 years to flower when seed raised. Divide rhizomes after flowering. Ensure that each rhizome section has a growing point. Will be slow to re-establish.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Trillium cuneatum (Little sweet Betsy) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Plant in deep, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil. Prefers slightly acid to neutral soil and likes full or part shade. Mulch with leaf mould in autumn.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Trillium cuneatum
Other names
Little sweet Betsy, Whip-poor-will flower, Large toadshade, Purple toadshade, Bloody butcher
Genus
Trillium Trillium
Species
T. cuneatum - T. cuneatum is a vigorous, upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with erect stems, each bearing three stalkless, broadly ovate, mid-green leaves, heavily mottled grey-green. Stalkless, fragrant, dark maroon to reddish-brown flowers with erect petals bloom above the leaves in spring.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Upright
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Colour
Flower
Maroon in Spring
Foliage
Mottled, Grey-green, Mid-green in Spring; Grey-green, Mid-green, Mottled in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Propagation
Sow seed as soon as ripe in containers in a shaded cold frame.Takes 5-7 years to flower when seed raised. Divide rhizomes after flowering. Ensure that each rhizome section has a growing point. Will be slow to re-establish.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Trillium cuneatum (Little sweet Betsy) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Plant in deep, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil. Prefers slightly acid to neutral soil and likes full or part shade. Mulch with leaf mould in autumn.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
M&G Investments, the title sponsor of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, commissioned designer Andy Sturgeon (Best in Show winner 2010 and 2016) to create this incredible garden. read more
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