Tricyrtis: Toad Lily
With a robust habit and delicate appearance, Tricyrtis truly deserves a place in more gardens.
Plant care & info
Family: Liliaceae
Genus: Tricyrtis
Common Name: Toad Lily
The range of the Tricyrtis genus is at moderate to high altitude, from the Himalayas to eastern Asia and into Japan and Taiwan. The most commonly cultivated species are native to Japan (Tricyrtis hirta), Taiwan (Tricyrtis formosana), and China (Tricyrtis maculata).
Toad lily is surprisingly cold hardy (Zone 4) considering their tropical origin. Here in the Pacific Northwest, Tricyrtis prefers moist, humus rich soil. That said, they can also perform well in dry soil, although fewer flowers will be produced. It can thrive in a variety of sun exposure, though avoiding hot afternoon sun and deep shade is advisable.
Slugs love Tricyrtis and can kill it by eating the new shoots, so it is best to apply slug bait in spring. Cut back after flowering in the fall. If seedlings appear (which is common with Tricyrtis hirta) pot them up and share with friends. Reseeding to the point of being a nuisance is quite unlikely.
Irregular or inadequate watering causes brown streaks on the leaves, which could be mistaken for pest or disease damage. Rust is generally only a problem in more humid climates, but if it happens, make sure all affected leaves and stems are removed from the area when cut back in the fall.
Lush, new spring growth quickly forms a bold–textured, rounded clump which holds through the heat of summer. From September to frost, tiny white flowers—intricately patterned with purple spots—cover the top of each stem.
The flowers are best appreciated up close, so it is best to plant Tricyrtis near the front of the border. Conversely, if you happen to get a variety with interesting foliage, it could be best to let it fill in the back. Either way, Tricyrtis is a sure way to extend the interest and bloom time of your woodland or shade borders.
Plant Toad Lily with Astilbes for a nice textural contrast, or with Cimifuga ‘Black Negligee’ to bring out the purple of the flowers. Don’t forget to include some evergreens such as Helleborus ‘Metallic Blue Lady’ or Autumn Fern (Dryopteris ‘Brilliance’) for winter interest.
Tricyrtis’ light colored flowers will stand out best against a dark background of Yew (Taxus sp.), Mexican Orange (Choisya ternata), or Rhododendron.
