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Trillium from seed?

11 years ago

I have a wonderful collection of T. grandiflora that came with the house. They are very happy here and are even producing seedling volunteers. I'm wondering if I can collect seed, plant them and get even more seedlings. I know the process is slow, but will it work, if done correctly, and what is "correctly?" I just read a thread about people poaching native flowers from national parks, and I'd like to replenish the supply, if possible.

Martha

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Comments (3)

docmom_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Never mind. I just did a search and I think I will just toss the seeds onto the ground and let nature do it's thing. As long as there are leaves to maintain some moisture, the seeds have a better chance of germinating on their own. It takes seven years for a seed to bloom, and then only if everything works perfectly. When you see one of these in bloom, it really is some kind of miracle. Also, a mature plant can live for forty years! We humans are in too much of a hurry.

Martha
Lynda Waldrep
11 years ago
You gave yourself good advice. I am fairly good at growing things from seed, but Trilliums have not been one of them. However, out in the natural area, they replenish themselves quite well. Knowing what that first leaf looks like keeps you from pulling them up. Of course, I am not a gardener, really, so I only pull up what I KNOW is something "bad." Newest one I learned to ID: oriental bittersweet. Birds must bring it in.
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Thane I have noticed that my T. grandiflorum do come up with their leaf sheath bent, but only for a very short time, they seem to pull out straight pretty quickly. I have never noticed T. ovatum that close to check,--- interesting. The grands are older and have a much thicker stalk and bigger leaves, the the natives I have are smaller, so maybe they are very fast at coming up straight, or are curved underground only. Will have to remember to check next year. My two patches are very close and I have seedlings now that are probably crosses with many different sizes of flower petals. I have a native patch that I got from a different source and they have very thin narrow petals. Judy
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Matt Webster
11 years ago
I think I destroyed some in my vigilance in getting rid of poison ivy. I'll be trying to reestablish them once I get my poison ivy problem somewhat managed.

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