Trillium cuneatum - LITTLE SWEET BETSY

Another charming early spring bloomer with variable flower color that can be maroon, yellow, orange- or copper-red. The leaves are green with irregular silver-gray dots. It blooms earlier than most Trilliums and is tolerant to black walnuts.

It’s not that good-looking in a traditional flower bed - this spring ephemeral fits much better under the canopy of big trees and naturalized in woodland gardens, where each plant can live for about 25 years. The foliage dies back later in the summer (never cut back dying stems as it can damage the plant). Established plants will slowly spread by rhizomes; later on it can form nice colonies and the plants can be divided in summer. Seeds are spread by mice and ants.

Blooming Time: April - April/May, one of the first Trilliums to start flowering
Size: about 1' high x 0.75' wide
USDA Zones: 5 to 8
Culture: requires half to dappled shade, medium moist soil with some organic matter and leaves/mulch; it will grow fine in average soil up to heavier clay soil, but it’s better to improve it with some leafy compost or compost, or use a thicker layer of mulch. Should get some sunlight in the beginning of the season (don’t plant on northern sides of building or northern slopes).
Moisture Needs: medium
Origin: southeastern states, see the USDA distribution map
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes/yes (but over-populated deer can damage it)
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: pollinated by bees, gnats, ants and beetles
Attracts Hummingbirds: no, small mammals eat the berries
Pot Size: 3.5" x 4" perennial pot (1.22 pt/580 ml)
Plant Combinations: combine with lower growing and less competitive native perennials like Aquilegia canadensis, Cardamine diphylla, Dicentra cucularia or Dicentra canadensis, Dodecatheon media (shooting star), Erythronium, small Heuchera, Hepatica, Iris cristata, Jeffersonia, Mertensia virginica, Mitella, Phlox divaricata, Phlox stolonifera, Polygonatum, Uvularia, Sanguinaria, Sedum ternatum, Waldsteinia, fine ferns like Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair Fern) or with non-native woodland perennials like clump forming species of Epimedium, Primula, Pulmonaria, or small spring bulbs like Anemone blanda, Galanthus (snowdrops), Eranthis and others. 

Picture Copyright: US Perennials, LLC