Trillium ovatum, Western trillium, needs conditions of light to dappled shade and a moist, but well-drained, humus-rich soil to thrive. Even then, it can be slow to establish, often taking 3-5 years to bloom and even longer to form a significant clump. They are long-lived once established. Trillium dislike crowded growing conditions, so keep other plants at a little distance. The foliage will burn with too much sun, so it is ideally suited to planting under deciduous trees or tall conifers. In the wild, Trillium ovatum can be found in open forests and along river banks and in riparian corridors.

In the spring, trilliums produce dainty white flowers, aging to pink, with golden anthers, nested on three somewhat triangular leaves. The plants grow to about 12-18" tall. Bees are attracted to the flowers and birds eat the seeds, which are also disbursed by ants.

In the Buck Lake Native Plant Garden, we have planted Western trillium in the shaded area near the south entrance
to the garden, among various ferns and groundcovers.