PLANTS THAT I LOVE
These trillium were in my garden when I moved in 20 years ago and have slowly spread.
Trillium perfectly plays native plant role
Native plants have become all the rage, and that’s a good thing.
They support our pollinators, have evolved for our climate, are beauti-ful
and most are pretty much indestructible.
What’s not to like?
It was a surprise to see trillium growing in my garden 20 years ago
when I moved here. Each year, they spread, adding a bloom or two.
It’s always a welcome sight to see the star-shaped flowers bloom every
spring.
One warning: They are deer candy. In my garden and forest, the deer
have never found them, though.
Trillium enjoys moist shade, but will handle a little sun and average
garden soil. There are many different varieties, some blooming pure
white all the way to deep purple. My white flowers fade to pink.
Once in place, they don’t like to be disturbed and don’t need any
extra water or fertilizer from the gardener.
Every spring they return to grace the garden with their beauty.
There are a couple of cool places to find trillium and other natives.
The Audubon Center for Native Plants at Beechwood Farms in Fox
Chapel is one of my favorite places, filled with interesting native
plants. Contact them at aswp.org or 412-963-6100, ext. 17.
This trillium started blooming pure white
and then faded to pink.
You won’t believe there’s a nursery on Ira Way in Squirrel Hill
until you look over into the valley to see benches filled with plants.
Kathryn McGregor has run Sylvania Native since 2001. Her charming
nursery is stocked with unique and wonderful plants.
Contact them at sylvanianatives.com or 412-596-4989.
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