We have been growing a variety of different trilliums in our garden for a number of years. We noticed this spring that a trillium that we are sure did not previously have a red flower is coming up with a red flower this year. We do have red trilliums in other parts of the garden but they are at least 5 metres away from this one. It looks too big to have grown from a seed in the past year. Is there any explanation for why it seems to have a different colour from previous years or are our memories deceiving us? (Image attached)
Not in the sense you are suggesting (flower colour does change post-pollination, it seems, for some of them). Are you sure this particular plant has flowered in previous years? It can take a long time, as I'm guessing you know. Some species do have a range of colour morphs, so it could be an individual of the same species as those around it, but finally flowering for the first time.
Thanks very much for your reply, Daniel. My wife insists that the plant has flowered before in exactly the same spot and that it was white, but we are still somewhat mystified. We were away in Leipzig, Germany for a year-and-a-half (where we happened to be staying a five minute walk from their university's botanical garden, supposedly the oldest in Europe) so we probably missed seeing it bloom for the two previous years. I'm not sure we'll ever figure this one one but thanks again for the feedback.
