The Yellow Trillium, also known as Trillium luteum or yellow wakerobin, is a flowering plant within the scientific family Melanthiaceae. The flowers grow exceptionally well in hardy plant zones 4-7, which are present in places like North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. The flower is also known to grow in remote locations in northern Virginia, Michigan, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada.
The flower usually has dark green leaves and bright flowers with three to four petals. At full maturity, it typically reaches a height of 16 inches or 40 centimeters and can be as wide as 14 inches or 30 centimeters. The flower is an herbaceous perennial, flowering only in the early to mid-spring season.
Yellow Trillium's Growing Requirements
Yellow Trillium grows best in moist, dense soil with good drainage. In its natural environment, it will usually develop at the base of deciduous trees, where it can enjoy heavy shade. If the growing conditions are right, the flower grows quickly, taking only 4-6 months to reach its full height and width.
Yellow Trillium's Landscaping Uses
The beautiful yellow flower is often used as a decorative plant in yards and gardens across large northern and central United States swathes. It is an ideal garden flower because it can thrive in heavy shade and is deficient in maintenance. It will do well if the flower has fertilized soil and adequate water.
Yellow Trillium's Fragrance
Yellow trillium offers a delightful aroma, another reason it is a favorite of many home gardeners. Its fragrance occurs around full maturity right towards the end of spring, when the flower can be harvested and used in a homemade flower bouquet or floral arrangement. What is distinct about its fragrance is that it smells like lemon flowers, an attribute that won it the Award of Garden Merit, a prestigious accolade from the Royal Horticultural Society in London, United Kingdom.