Small Trilliums

 Pseudotrillium rivale

The new name for Trillium rivale at least its not a hard one to remember. There is so much variation in the flowers of this dear little Trillium and its not a hard one to grow. The common name is brook wakerobin explaining where it grows best on the edges of seeps and streams, the specific name rivale meaning "stream loving" it will also grow well in semi shade, well drained, coolish position in the garden, reaching 10 to 15cm. When the flowers have been fertilised they hang their heads down, then you need to watch for seed, I usually tie little bags over the flower heads and tie them on tight as the wind will blow them away if not anchored to the plant. 

In its native habitat it comes from Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon and northern California in serpentine rock and steep valley walls of the rivers of the region. 

Pseudotrillium rivale different coloured forms in Aarons garden seed from me. A close up below.

Pseudotrillium rivale nearly pure white with faint madder-purple flecking.

Above and below Pseudotrillium rivale from Archibald seed, variation from seed.

A dark flowering form of Pseudotrillium rivale with dark green leaves.

A seedling Pseudotrillium rivale that appeared in my garden with deep maroon spotting on leaves and very dark flowers. I've sent seed to New Zealand Trillium group and SRGC also dispersed plants and seed here in Australia, only a percentage comes true from seed. 

Pseudotrillium rivale Purple Heart photo taken in a Scottish garden. Below a close up of my Pseudotrillium rivale Purple Heart,

Trillium pusillum

Trillium pusillum taken in the Wisley glass house.

Trillium pusillum var ozarkanum flower buds and dark coloured leaves from New Zealand seed. From the Carolinas on Coastal Plains and Piedmont to Alabama, there are several colonies in northern Alabama. Trillium pusillum var. ozarkanum from Arkansas, the name ozarkanum means of the Ozark Mountains. Their habitat occurring in coarsely cherty, rock soils in beech oak and mixed deciduous forest. Height 15-20cm high.

Trillium pusillum var ozarkanum flowers with wavy edges to the petals above and below. Growing in a good potting mix with more grit and leaf mould added and mixed well. The above plant is in a small trough and the bottom photo plant was in a plastic pot. I have tried it in the garden but it tends to go backwards so now I only have them growing in the small troughs.

Our next meeting is at the Olinda Community House, Olinda Monbulk road Olinda. Next to the Olinda swimming pool on the 29th October at 8.00pm Stephen Ryan will be presenting a talk on his travels to Morocco. If you would like to join us contact Fermi the talk will also be on zoom.