Louise Frampton catches up with organiser Marcelle Garden ahead of the get-together and conference to be held in Teviot Valley and Alexandra later this month.
It seems strange to think of a woodland plant growing well in Central Otago. What are the ideal growing conditions for trilliums?
Trilliums are northern hemisphere (North America and Japan) woodland plants, that grow in a range of climates, but they don’t like intense sun or heat. So in New Zealand, trillium growers try to replicate woodland-like conditions. This means if you have an area protected from direct sun and you water them sufficiently, you can grow them in Central Otago.
Growing trilliums is not for the faint-hearted - if the conditions are not right, they will struggle and decline. Fortunately, there are different varieties, and with persistence gardeners can find the right ones for their conditions.
Trillium kurabashi, the giant purple wake- robin, can have petals up to 14cm long.
What do you think is the attraction to trilliums?
Every trillium lover probably has a different answer. For some it is the challenge of growing a plant that is really different, that has an unusual growth format from a rhizome, and comes in a range in sizes from the tiny Trillium nivale to the large-sized Trillium grandiflorum.
Tell me about your garden
Our garden is over an acre of rocky landscape. I love alpine and small bulbs and grow a mixture of perennials, trees and shrubs, in sun and shade. I have a few trilliums.
How difficult are trilliums to grow from seed?
Yes you can grow trilliums from seed, but one needs to be patient. It can take up to eight to nine years for a plant to reach flowering size. I have done it a few times in the past.
Do you divide them? How long does that take?
The simplest way to increase them is probably to divide a well-established and larger plant after flowering. Once potted up, provided your plant has one or two good growing tips, it will flower in 18 months.
Pseudotrillium rivale, also know as brook wakerobin, grows about 20cm tall.
Tell me about the double-flowering trilliums. Are they harder to grow?
Double trillium [T.grandiflorum Flore Plena, sometimes known as Snow Bunting] is a ‘sport’, a rarity, so they do not occur naturally and are difficult to grow and maintain in the garden. I have several plants, doing well, but the flowers abort and never show properly ... I obviously don’t have the knack!
I’ve heard you should never pick a trillium. Why is this?
The trillium flower is lovely on the plant. If you cut it you are taking the nutrients from the flower and the foliage on that stem away from the main plant - so unless you have a lush, happy plant, cutting the flower can be detrimental to the growth in the next flowering season.
What are your favourites?
Difficult question. I like them all, but have more success with some than others. I have a soft spot for Trillium rivale, a very small species and Trillium ozarkanum, a small to medium one.
Has the New Zealand Trillium Group held its annual gathering and conference in Central Otago before?
With the exception of one excursion to the mid-central North Island, the annual weekend moves around South Island trillium growing areas. The last time it was held in Central Otago was eight years ago in the Lawrence/Teviot Valley area.
How many members are coming to the conference?
The New Zealand Trillium Group has over 140 members, with about 10 in the Central Otago region. There are over 90 registrations, about 10 from the North Island and the rest from throughout the South Island.
Trillium luteum is also known as the yellow trillium or yellow wakerobin.
What’s on the agenda for the conference?
The conference starts on the evening of Friday, October 31, where members meet up for an informal gathering. Clint Callens, from Belgium, the Steve Newell Memorial Speaker for 2025, will speak on growing woodland plants in his own garden. Steve Newell was a member of the New Zealand Trillium Group who had a passion for sharing plants and plant knowledge.
On the Saturday and Sunday participants will travel around Teviot Valley and Alexandra to view 10-12 gardens.
Saturday evening is the main conference-style event. The evening includes plant sales, raffles, dinner and a speaker. This year the main speaker is Dave Toole, of Invercargill, who will share some of his extensive knowledge on growing trilliums from seed.
• The conference is open to members of the New Zealand Trillium Group only.
• Anyone interested in joining the New Zealand Trillium Group can contact Lynne and Bob Croy on email croys@netz.co.nz
