This adorable wildflower blooms in spring with a single sweet yellow lemon-scented flower set just above a trio of leaves. Each of the leaves has cute pixelated mottling in shades of green and grey. The leaves persist until the summer heat arrives when Yellow Trillium will hide from the heat under the cool soil until next spring.
This species is native to the Great Smoky Mountains in moist, woodland soils, along streams, and especially over calcareous rock formations. It is slow growing, but a patient gardener will see their Yellow Trillium expand over time into a dense rhizomatous colony.
Conditions: Full shade to part shade; moist, well-drained soil
Size: <1' tall, <1' wide
Zone: 4 – 8
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract bumblebees; seeds spread by ants
Photo: Scott Beadenkopf