Toad Lilies still plugging along
feet tall. Leaves are shiny and oblong with strong indented ribs. The flowers vary from cherry red spots on white to pale violet on white, to others still that have solid purple at the ends of the petals. Collecting T. formosiana has become an obsession with some, as there is so much variability.
T. hirta - These arch to about 3 feet, tall, growing in much the same way as Solomon's Seal or Gentiana asclepidea. One old and renowned Japanese gardener in Vancouver once told me that the way to design with Toad Lilies is to plant it, see which way it arches, then decide where to place your rocks and your moss.
T. stolonifera - See T. formosana
There are also many named varieties available, both old Japanese strains and new named hybrids. 'Lilac Towers' and 'White Towers' are both hybrids of T. hirta and likely T. affinis. You often have to pay more for hybrids. Luckily with Toad Lilies the benefits of the hybrids are manyfold. The plants are often more vigorous -- you're not just buying prettier flowers you know.
There is so much more to toad lilies, and I hope I have covered most of what you need to know. If you want to know more, see more pictures, and read about some new and upcoming advances in breeding Toad Lilies, check out the link below.
Great Toad Lily Links
Toad Lilies: The Genus Tricyrtis
Cyberplantsman, Barry Glick has offered insight into Toad Lilies, which he grows, collects and breeds on his farm in West Virginia.
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