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Northwest Blooms · Perennials

Trillium kurabayashii

Giant Purple Trillium

Trillium kurabayashii
Family
Melanthiaceae
Height
12 to 18 inches
Width
12 inches
Flower color
Initially deep maroon or reddish-purple, fading to lighter pink or white with age
Foliage color
Dark green, slightly glossy
Bloom time
Late spring to early summer
Light
Partial to full shade
Water
Moist, well-draining soil
Maintenance
Low maintenance
Growing zone
USDA zones 5 to 8
Wildlife
Attracts bees and other pollinators; provides habitat for small mammals and birds

About this plant

Trillium kurabayashii is a striking perennial plant native to the Pacific Northwest, prized for its elegant appearance and delicate beauty. Growing from a rhizomatous root system, it produces a single, upright stem topped with a whorl of three large, dark green, slightly glossy leaves. Its most striking feature is the deep maroon or reddish-purple flower, which emerges from the center of the leaf whorl and forms a star-like shape with three petals and three sepals. As the flower ages, it may fade to a lighter pink or white hue, adding visual interest. Thriving in moist, well-draining soil in partially to fully shaded locations, Trillium kurabayashii is ideal for woodland settings, shady gardens, or naturalized areas, where its attractive foliage and striking flowers make it a standout plant, especially when planted in groups or drifts. Additionally, it is valuable for native plant enthusiasts, providing important habitat and food sources for native wildlife.

Works well in

Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Bird Gardens

Companion plants

Ferns · Lungworts · Wild ginger · Hellebores · Japanese forest grass · Astilbes

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.

Where to see it

This plant can be seen in the rock garden at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.