Toad Lilies Glitter in the Fall Garden

I discovered Toad Lilies (Tricyrtis sp.) early in my foray into the gardening world. Before Max's Garden even existed, I ordered some from Bluestone Perennials. I was enamored with their orchid-like blooms that came at a time when not much else was going on in the garden. That first purchase was 'Sinonome' and it still grows and blooms here in the shaded Trellis Garden, four years later.

Tricyrtis 'Sinonome'

As I visited various nurseries over the last few years, anytime I encountered Toad Lilies, I came to a full stop and usually picked one out to take home, if it was a variety I didn't already have. That's exactly what I did a couple of weeks ago, when Marsha and I visited Carolee's Herb Farm, where I found 'Samurai.'

Tricyrtis formosana 'Samurai'

Tricyrtis 'Tojen'

When the plants were young, the blooms were only at the upper few inches, but now that they are more mature and established, they are blooming all along the leaf axils of the stems.

Tricyrtis hirta 'Miyazaki'

Tricyrtis 'Lightning Strike'

They still make me stop in my tracks when I walk by them. They're one of the highlights of the fall garden.

Tricyrtis

Zone: 4-8
Water: Average
Soil: Neutral to Acidic
Sun: Part to Full Shade
Bloom: Late Summer to Mid-Fall