How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Toad Lilies
When the rest of the garden is starting to go dormant, jewel-like toad lilies are just starting to shine. Learn how to grow these exotic, yet deceptively easy to care for, fall-blooming perennials with biologist and garden enthusiast Lindsay Miller.
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The origins of the common name “toad lily” is under much speculation. It is likely a reference to this plant’s spotty petals, which resemble the patterns found on toads. Or perhaps it pertains to the three warty nectaries at the base of the flower (nectaries are special tissues that produce nectar). Toad lilies also appreciate plenty of moisture, much like toads and frogs, so maybe that’s it.
In any case, the beauty of this plant far surpasses its rather unglamorous name.
Toad lilies are little hidden jewels in the garden. Unassuming clumps of gently arching stems bearing simple green foliage fill the garden from spring through fall. Come autumn, as all the other woodland perennials seem to be closing up shop for the season, ornately speckled, orchid-like flowers burst open. Don’t be fooled by the delicate, exotic blooms of this plant. They’re hardy to USDA zones 4 or 5, depending on the variety, and require little coddling or maintenance.
These flowers are relatively new to the North American gardening scene, having only been introduced in the 1990s. Their hardiness, exceptionally beautiful flowers, and ability to grow happily in mostly shade should elevate this plant’s status to “must have.” Read on and learn how to grow and care for this remarkable little plant.
Overview
“Toad Lily” Tricyrtis formosana, hirta
Plant Type
Herbaceous perennial
Family
Lilaceae
Genus
Tricyrtis
Species
formosana, hirta
Native Area
China, Japan, the Philippines
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Exposure
Partial to full shade
Height
1’-3’
Watering Requirements
Moderate
Pests & Diseases
Rabbits, deer, aphids, Tricyrtis floral virus, anthracnose
Maintenance
Low
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Soil Type
Well-drained, slightly acidic
Suggested Uses
Shade gardens, woodland gardens, understory plantings
Bloom Season
Late summer, fall
Hardiness Zone
4-9
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What Is It?
Toad lilies are a group of herbaceous perennials with exotic, jewel-like flowers that open late in the season. There are 16-20 species of Tricyrtis spp., however, just two are readily available for home gardeners.
Even before the flowers appear in the fall, the foliage of this perennial provides lovely cover in the shade garden. Stems are upright or elegantly arching. Narrow leaves that resemble those of a small hosta or Solomon’s seal emerge on alternating sides of the stem. Leaves are usually solid medium green. However, some varieties like ‘Variegata’ or ‘Samurai’ have yellow or cream-colored striping.
The star-shaped flowers resemble orchids, with six tepals (the botanical term for when a flower has similar inner petals and outer sepals) that unfurl in late summer or early fall. Most often, the tepals are white with purple or dark burgundy splotches, although there is some variation in the coloring depending on the species or cultivar.
Toad lilies continue to flower vigorously until the first hard frost, a time when not much else is in bloom. As a fall-blooming perennial, toad lilies are a valuable source of food for pollinators. Bees and hummingbirds easily access the nectar found deep inside the tubular toad lily flowers.
Native Area
These exotic flowers are native to Asia, from the Philippines north to China, Taiwan, and Japan, and east towards the Himalayas. They primarily grow along shady streambanks, ravines, and woodland edges, where the tree canopy gives way to thickets and open grass areas.
Planting
Toad lilies thrive in shady beds and borders, where they receive a bit of protection from direct, all-day sun. The fine details and intricate patterns of the flowers are incredibly unique and best observed up close, so place toad lilies along walkways or towards the front of a border, where they can be easily admired.
Toad lilies pair beautifully with other shade-loving perennials like ferns, lungwort, coralbells, astilbe, and Siberian bugloss. Most of these plants bloom in the spring through early summer, leaving a gap later in the season that this fall-flowering species fills beautifully. A backdrop of shade-tolerant evergreens, like rhododendrons or a yew, provides a lovely contrast to the pale blooms of the toad lily.
You can grow it in containers, provided the pot has plenty of drainage. Note that toad lilies spread slowly via creeping rhizomes and will need regular repotting if it outgrows its container.
Propagation
It easy for gardeners to quickly expand their collection because you can propagate these unique plants in several different ways. Each method occurs at a different time of year during a different stage of the plant’s growth cycle.
Division
Divide in the spring, while the plants are still largely dormant. When dividing perennials, choose healthy, mature plants with strong roots. Using a clean shovel or garden fork, dig down where a new patch of green vegetative growth has emerged. Be sure the division has an ample clump of roots and at least one growth bud. Plant the newly divided section immediately, and water deeply to help it get established.
Cuttings
Toad lilies also propagate well by stem cuttings during the early summer before the plant puts on flower buds. Snip a healthy, 3-6-inch long section of stem from a mature plant. Strip the lower leaves and place the bare end in either fresh water or moist seed starting media. Once roots have formed, transplant stem cuttings into the garden or a larger container.
Growing from Seed
Start seeds under grow lights or direct sow in the garden. Seeds generally require at least 3 months of cold stratification in order to germinate successfully. Toad lily seeds require some light for germination, so gently press them into the surface of the seed starting media. Don’t bury the seeds.
Gardeners who’d like to collect and save seeds from a particular plant can do so in the fall after the plant is done flowering. Wait until the seed capsules have dried and split open before collecting the seeds. These seeds should be sown fresh.
How to Grow
These perennials are easygoing, low-maintenance plants provided they get plenty of water and are placed in rich, fertile soil.
Light
In their native habitat, they grow along shady streambanks or at the edge of the forest canopy. For the happiest toad lilies, you’ll need to mimic these dappled, partially shaded conditions in your garden. Plants are a bit more tolerant of sunlight if they are kept cool and well-watered. Full, direct sun, however, will scorch the leaves and damage the plant. Toad lilies make an excellent understory planting around the base of deciduous trees.
Water
These flowers appreciate consistently moist soil. Water regularly. Gardeners in the warmest reaches of this plant’s range will need to water frequently during the hot summer months. Toad lilies slow their bloom rate and vegetative growth or even go prematurely dormant in overly dry soil. That being said, they do not like standing water—make sure soil is well-drained and containers have drainage holes.
Soil
Plant toad lilies in rich, humusy, slightly acidic soils. Amend the soil with plenty of well-rotted compost prior to planting, especially if you have clay soil. Toad lilies do not do well in waterlogged, heavy soil. Top beds with a healthy layer of chopped leaves, wood chips, or other organic mulch to help build organic matter and conserve soil moisture. Mulch will also help protect plants from frost heave in the winter.
Fertilizing
These species are light feeders. Provided they are planted in well-drained soil amended with a bit of compost, they don’t require much in terms of additional fertilizing. Gardeners may want to apply a well-balanced, granular fertilizer at the start of the growing season, but it’s not necessary.
Maintenance
For all their elegant appearances, toad lilies are hardy, unfussy plants. Their upright stems do not require staking. Pruning is not required to keep toad lilies from blooming vigorously year after year. For tidiness, gardeners may want to cut back old stems after the plant dies down for the winter.
Popular Varieties
There are 16-20 different known species of Tricytis spp. Most of the cultivars available to home gardeners are derived from Tricyrtis hirta or Tricyrtis formosana.
Tricyrtis hirta ‘Miyazaki’
Arched stems standing 24-30 inches tall are covered with white and purple spotted flowers. ‘Miyazaki’ spreads vigorously over time, making it an excellent filler for the woodland garden. This variety was rated very highly by the Chicago Botanic Garden, due to its cold hardiness, disease resistance, and prolific flowers.
Tricyrtis hirta ’White Towers’
‘White Towers’ has pure white, lily-like flowers with pale rose-colored anthers. Plants grow 18-30 inches tall. ’White Towers’ has been known to bloom earlier than other toad lilies, often starting in late summer.
Tricyrtis formosana ‘Samurai’
A compact toad lily, ‘Samurai’ stands in tidy clumps just 12-18 inches tall. Leaves are edged in golden yellow, and contrast wonderfully with dark violet, heavily speckled flowers. The blooms almost resemble miniature passion flowers.
Tricyrtis hirta ‘Tojen’
‘Tojen’ is a hybrid between T. hirta and T. formosana. Standing 12-24 inches in height, ‘Tojen’ is smaller than most other varieties of toad lily. Upright stems bear flowers that are clear white, with pale purple edges and yellow throats.
Tricyrtis ‘Sinonome’
This hybrid displays small, 1-inch flowers that are white with dark maroon blotches. ‘Sinonome’ is reportedly popular as a cut flower due to its long, upright stems. Plants stand 30-36 inches tall.
Tricyrtis ‘Blue Wonder’
Stunning, star-shaped flowers are a cool, blue-ish white and covered with dark violet spots. ‘Blue Wonder’ stands 18-24 inches tall and starts blooming towards the end of the summer. This compact, clumping perennial is a gorgeous, unique addition to the shade garden.
Common Problems
Toad lilies are relatively hardy, although they do face a few challenges from grazing wildlife and insects.
Pests
Rabbits are voracious consumers of toad lilies. If not chewed all the way to the ground, heavily browsed plants typically display shorter stems and begin flowering much later than the undisturbed plants. Wire mesh fencing and protective cages are very effective in keeping rabbits off plants. Interestingly enough, deer largely ignore toad lily plants.
Slugs and snails have also been known to chew up toad lilies, especially new, lush growth emerging in the spring. A healthy application of diatomaceous earth or setting out a beer trap will help deter slugs and snails. Encouraging a healthy local food web with natural predators, like toads, snakes, turtles, and birds, will also keep the slug population in check.
Aphids are a virus vector species. If you see their pear-shaped bodies congregating on your lilies, give them a spray of water from a hose in the morning. This dislodges from the plant and prevents further feeding.
Diseases
A few pathogens can attack these plants.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease that can cause orange, rust-colored lesions to form on the foliage of this plant. Poor air circulation and too much moisture exacerbates fungal diseases. Prevent anthracnose by watering the soil directly at the base of the plant, keeping the upper foliage dry. Dig up and divide plants every few years to ensure adequate airflow between stems.
Tricyrtis floral virus
This virus causes toad lily flowers to become mottled and eventually turn solid burgundy-purple. This virus doesn’t kill the plant outright, and some commercial growers have even capitalized on this by creating a whole new variety based on these solid-colored flowers – an example of this is the cultivar ‘Raspberry Mousse’. Tricyrtis floral virus is transmitted by aphids, and controlling the aphid population will help prevent it. Infected plants should be tossed in the trash (do not compost!).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you plant toad lilies with?
Pair toad lilies with other woodland plants that prefer moist soil and partial shade. Try planting them with ferns, lungwort, astilbe, hostas, or Solomon’s seal.
Are toad lilies safe for pets?
No. As a member of the lily family, toad lily is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep pets away from this plant.
Are toad lilies invasive?
While toad lilies do reseed, they are not aggressive spreaders. Seedlings are easily identifiable in the spring and can be removed or transplanted elsewhere.
When do toad lilies bloom?
Depending on the species and cultivar, toad lilies start blooming in late summer or early fall. They bloom until the first hard frost.