Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - April 28, 2010
From: Saugatuck, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Rare or Endangered Plants, Planting, Transplants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Transplanting trilliums
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
What's the best time to transplant white trillium on my property on the shore of Lake Michigan?ANSWER:
When my mother dug up a trillium from the woods and planted it her flowerbed at the front of our home, my teenaged siblings and I all scolded her for her "illegal act". However, like our famous Texas Bluebonnet, Ontario's trillium is protected from picking/digging only by urban myth, not the law.
Trillium grandiflorum (white trillium) is not difficult to propogate by seed but can take a notoriously long time to grow to maturity after germination. So most of the trilliums you find for sale in nurseries are actually collected from the wild.
The mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes, so I must encourage you to leave the plant where it is and try to propogate it by seed or rhizome division. You can find instructions in William Cullina's book , "Wildflowers: A Guide to Growing and Propogating Native Flowers of North America"
That being said, my mother's trillium blooms happily on in her front garden 30 years later. Be certain you do not damage the plant while digging and transplant it in mid to late summer, just before it goes dormant.
More Rare or Endangered Plants Questions
Entities adopting threatened species as symbol
May 13, 2008 - Please could you tell me about any nations, cities, towns or villages which have adopted a threatened species as their flagship or totem, and are attempting to save it?
I am drawing up a list of such...
view the full question and answer
Why is endangered Sandplain Gerardia (Agalinis acuta) helpful in the environment
October 31, 2007 - My son is doing a report on endangered plants in Maryland and was assigned the Sandplain Gerardia. On-line we have been able to find much of the information we need for his report. However, there is...
view the full question and answer
Looking for crowsfoot and standing spruce for Christmas wreaths in Maryland
November 15, 2011 - Hi, When I was a young child, my family would go out in the fall to pick two different plants for making Christmas wreaths. I recently found them on the farm across the street and want to make wreaths...
view the full question and answer
Sycamore leaf snowbell from Pleasanton TX
August 18, 2012 - How do you care for a sycamore leaf snowbell. Does it like sun or part shade? How much water? How often and what should it be fed. How fast or slowly does it grow? Anything you can tell me would be ap...
view the full question and answer
Research on decline of Quercus hinckleyi
February 20, 2007 - I am doing a research project on the Hinckley's Oak (Quercus hinckleyi) and am in need of statistical data regarding the decline of this plant. I have been unable to find any data in this area. Any s...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |