Trillium flexipes x sulcatum 'Harvington Dusky Pink'

The Furrowed Wakerobin Melanthiaceae

One of the rather lovely results of Hugh Nunn’s Trillium meddling at Harvington, this handsome hybrid combines T. flexipes and T. sulcatum to produce a particularly refined woodland plant. It took Nunn around ten years to select and raise, so this is not a case of throwing two trilliums together and hoping for the best. The sturdy stems carry three broad, fresh-green leaves, above which appear outward-facing flowers in a wonderfully subdued dusky pink. Narrow sepals, neatly edged in red, provide an attractive contrast, while the stems themselves often carry a pinkish flush. 

A choice plant for the woodland garden, where it appreciates deep, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil and dappled shade. Like most trilliums, it is perfectly happy to take its time establishing before deciding that multiplication might be worthwhile. Once settled, however, it makes an impressive clump and the flowers are quite irresistible in spring. RHS lists it as H5. 

• Hardiness: H5, approximately -15 to -10°C
• Height: 35–50 cm
• Spread: 30–45 cm
• Flowers: April–June