JOE SWIFT

Transform a shady spot with trilliums

They need the right soil and shade but these perennials are worth a bit of effort
Trillium chloropetalum giganteum, Trillium albidum and Trillium erectum
Trillium chloropetalum giganteum, Trillium albidum and Trillium erectum
GAP PHOTOS/RAY COX

I am on the hunt for some rather special plants to fill a new space in my garden after I spent nearly a day digging out a large bamboo.

The bamboo had to come out because it had been taking a lot of moisture from the soil — plus I fancied a change. I’ve replaced it with one of my favourite trees, Clerodendrum trichotomum fargesii, which will hopefully reward me with deliciously scented summer flowers followed by its unusual winged fruit. By digging in plenty of leaf mould to the bare patch beneath the tree’s canopy I have created the conditions of a mini woodland to pop in the most majestic of spring woodlanders, trilliums (more commonly known as wake robins).

There are about