April 2009

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Warmer temperatures, an increasing amount of daylight and beautiful flowers are just some of the reasons that people enjoy spring. Native wildflowers make wonderful additions to your garden as well as providing food and shelter for native wildlife. Their brilliantly colored blossoms and interesting shapes will make your landscape a showplace. Because they are perennials, you can welcome their presence year after year, and they require very little care.   

purple trillium (Trillium recurvatum)

Photo © 2008, Adele Hodde, IDNR Office of Public Services. Photo rights available for purchase.

The purple trillium is also known as the purple wake robin. Found statewide in rich woodland soil, it grows from thick roots. Its upright, unbranched stem may be one and one-half feet tall. Three leaves are present in a whorl under the flower. Leaves are mottled and up to four inches long. A single flower blooms at the stem tip. The flower has three maroon petals, each up to one and one-half inches long. The fruit is an ovoid, six-angled dry berry, about three-fourths inch long. Purple trillium blooms in Illinois from late March through late May.

For more information about native Illinois plants, including where to purchase them and planting guides, the following publications are available through the IDNR order form at http://dnr.state.il.us/teachkids.

Prairie Establishment and Landscaping

Landscaping for Wildlife

Butterfly Gardens