Toadshade (Trillium sessile)

Toadshade

Also known as: Red Trillium, Sessile Wake-robin, Yellow Wake-Robin , Sessile-flowered wake-robin

A unique-looking, beautiful plant, toadshade is a shade-loving perennial with marbled green leaves and deep red, upright flowers. It is very easy to grow but takes five to seven years before it will flower.

Scientific classification

Species

Toadshade (Trillium sessile)

Lilies, supplejacks and allies

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Perennial

Lifespan

Herb

Plant Type

Spring, Summer

Bloom Time

10 cm to 30 cm

Plant Height

Red, Green, Purple, Brown

Flower Color

Green, Red, Purple, Burgundy, Lavender

Stem Color

Deciduous

Leaf type

5 - 32 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Spring, Summer

Growth Season

Slow

Growth Rate

Images of Toadshade

Quickly Identify Toadshade

Triangular maroon/greenish-yellow flower with 3 petals and 3 sepals.

Sessile, trifoliate leaves in a whorl without petioles, mottled in shades of green.

Stout, unbranched stem with smooth texture, transitioning in color from green to reddish-purple.

Distinctive fruit - berry-like capsule with 6 parts, green turning brown, dispersed by ants.

Petals emit foul odor, stalkless with narrow erect shape, crucial for identifying the plant.

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Care Guide for Toadshade

Twice per week

Water

Partial sun

Sunlight

5 - 32 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Garden Soil

Soil Type

Water: Toadshade thrives in moist, shaded woodland environments, needing consistent moisture without waterlogging. It prefers evenly moist soil and shows moderate drought tolerance once established. Watering twice a week is ideal, and mulching retains moisture, simulating its natural forest floor habitat.

Fertilize: Nourish toadshade with balanced fertilizers in early spring for robust growth. Use a light sprinkle based on soil conditions, reapplying biennially. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent harm, and adjust feeding during dormant periods. Apply to moist soil and water well post-application for best nutrient uptake.

Pruning: Toadshade features vibrant deep red flowers and mottled leaves, requiring minimal pruning. Trim in early spring to remove damaged parts, avoiding root disruption to enhance blooming and foliage vitality.

Propagation: Toadshade is a perennial with maroon flowers and mottled foliage. Propagation involves sowing fresh seeds in shaded, well-draining, fertile soil. Care during germination is essential due to toadshade 's delicate nature and slow growth, requiring patience for successful cultivation.

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