In early spring, nothing is more pleasing than seeing the increasing population of trilliums in the garden. A few of each species were purchased years ago, and from there the numbers have slowly increased in the shaded front and side gardens. Occasionally, seedlings appear far from parent plants as ants or other tiny creatures carry the seeds, but most seedlings are nearer the parent.

My wife and I plan hikes mid-April into early May to catch trilliums at their peak, so we’re delighted by our scattered patches that precede local, mountain grown natives  (Trillium grandiflorum) in flower by a few weeks.

I would happily add additional species if the small plants weren’t so costly and if they were quicker to spread, but I’m delighted by the slowly increasing population.