Tricyrtis formosana
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Tried and True Recommended by 1 Professional
Common Name: toad lily
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Liliaceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Native Range: Taiwan
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: August to September
Bloom Color: Purple, Red, White, Yellow
Bloom Description: White, reddish-purple spots and yellowish throats
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Uses: Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in part to full shade. Prefers moist, humusy, slightly acidic soils in part shade. Soil must not be allowed to dry out.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Toad lily is perhaps best known for its unique flowers, ability to bloom in shade and late summer to early fall bloom time. Features small, lily-like flowers (1 inch long) with six showy tepals (similar appearing sepals and petals) arranged in branched clusters (cymes) primarily at the stem ends but also in the upper leaf axils. Flowers are white with dense deep reddish-purple spotting and yellowish throats. Stems grow upright to 2-3' tall. A rhizomatous plant which will colonize in the garden over time. Broadly lance-shape leaves with parallel veins, hairy undersides and semi-clasping leaf bases. Synonymous with and sometimes still sold as T. stolonifera.

Plant of Merit

Toad lily is best noted for its unique flowers and its ability to bloom well in shade late summer to early fall. Small, delicate white lily-like flowers with heavy reddish-purple spotting and yellowish throats bloom in branched clusters atop generally erect 2–3 foot tall stems clad with broadly lance-shaped medium green leaves. Flowers must be observed close up to appreciate their true beauty. Plants are superb additions to shaded borders, woodland or shade gardens where they will slowly naturalize by rhizomes to form colonies.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Slugs are an occasional pest.

Garden Uses

Borders, woodland gardens, shade gardens or naturalized areas. Plant in areas where they can be easily observed at close range, because the beauty and detail of the small flowers becomes lost at a distance.

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