AR Gardener Magazine Articles
Toad Lily
You have to kiss a lot of toads before you catch your prince,
but thankfully, a toad lily is a prince of a plant. With a name like toad lily,
that’s a good thing.
Toad lilies, the genus Tricyrtis, are wonderful perennials for
the shade garden. While usually grown more for their unique characteristics, or
as a conversation piece, they do make a wonderful clump in time, and will give
you colorful interest in the fall garden.
Native to the Himalayas, Japan and China, and members of the
lily family, there are several species available to the average gardener.
Tricyrtis hirta is the common toad lily, and is usually readily available.
It makes a nice plant. Tricyrtis formosana, or the Formosa toad lily
spreads easily and can form a large colony in three to five years. It also
blooms the longest. While not as common in the trade, it has been gaining in
popularity for its clump forming ability and longer bloom period. But either
species would be a good choice.
Toad lilies have upright, arching stems that grow from two to
three feet in height. Some varieties have more of an arch to them than others.
The three to four inch leaves clasp the stem and grow from the ground out to the
edge of the stems in an alternate pattern–somewhat reminiscent of Solomon’s
Seal.
In late summer to early fall, the one inch blossoms appear in a
row, almost like a chain of small orchids draped along the stem and as a
terminal cluster. The flower structure is one of the most unique flowers in the
perennial world. The flowers range in color from white to pale lavender or pink,
and most are prominently blotched or spotted with a dark purple, however one
variety T. ‘White Towers’ has pure white flowers.
Many think this plant gets its common name from the spotted
flowers. Another theory is that in the Philippines, a native tribe uses the
juice of a native species of Tricyrtis flowers when hunting frogs. Supposedly
the juice attracts frogs, and somehow makes them less slippery, but I have never
noticed an abundance of frogs–or toads for that matter, near a toad lily. Plant
lore is always fun.
Flowers should last for several weeks, at the time of year when
we need extra blooms–late summer to early fall! Some varieties will bloom longer
than others, plus larger more established plantings have a longer season of
bloom. The flowers will not stop traffic, since they aren’t large and showy, so
plant them where you can have easy access to the plants and can see the flowers
up close–they are incredible.
All Tricyrtis like a rich, shady environment, so incorporate
leaf mold or organic matter prior to planting. They also need a moist
environment. If they get too dry, you will often have some brown discoloration
in the foliage by the end of the season, which can detract from the flowers
somewhat. Mulching can help to conserve moisture, but be sure to supplement when
the weather turns dry.
If your toad lily clump needs dividing, do so in the early
spring before they break dormancy. Fresh seed also germinates easily, but keep
in mind that they may not grow true, if there are other varieties growing
nearby. The resulting flowers will be of interest anyway.
Toad lilies are gaining in popularity in the shade garden. With their
graceful arching growth habit, they make a nice addition to the landscape, mixed
with hostas, ferns, and coral bells. Don’t let the name keep you from trying
this interesting plant.
This story first appeared in the
AR
Gardener Magazine.
By: Janet Carson
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