Tricyrtis formosana Samurai (Toad Lily)
Perfect to lighten up the shade garden, Tricyrtis formosana ‘Samurai’ (Toad Lily) is a compact, shade-loving perennial with a luminous foliage of shiny, lance-shaped, dark green leaves adorned with golden-yellow margins. In late summer to early fall, clusters of small, orchid-like, purple flowers, heavily sprinkled with dark purple freckles are borne in the upper leaf axils and at the top of erect stems. Sparkling in the garden, Toad Lily is an excellent perennial for adding late season color to the shade garden.
Perfect to lighten up the shade garden, Tricyrtis formosana ‘Samurai’ (Toad Lily) is a compact, shade-loving perennial with a luminous foliage of shiny, lance-shaped, dark green leaves adorned with golden-yellow margins. In late summer to early fall, clusters of small, orchid-like, purple flowers, heavily sprinkled with dark purple freckles are borne in the upper leaf axils and at the top of erect stems. Sparkling in the garden, Toad Lily is an excellent perennial for adding late season color to the shade garden. Use it as an accent plant, container plant or ground cover in a woodland garden.
- Relatively trouble-free, this Toad Lily requires little maintenance, is heavy shade tolerant and deer resistant.
- Grows up to 16 in. tall (40 cm) and 24-36 in. wide (60-90 cm).
- Part shade to full shade lover, this Toad Lily thrives in organically rich, evenly moist, slightly acidic, well drained soils. Don't let the soil dry out! Mulch should be added to reduce water evaporation and maintain moisture.
- While most other perennials have finished blooming, this delicate beauty is just getting started. Plant it in perennial borders, woodlands, by streams, ponds or by a path or sidewalk where you can enjoy this uncommon charmer as you pass it every day.
- Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or in fall. Propagate by division in early spring
- Native to Taiwan
Requirements
Hardiness | 4 – 9 |
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Heat Zones | 6 – 9 |
Climate Zones | 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Tricyrtis – Toad Lilies |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest | Summer (Late)Fall |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 24″ – 36″ (60cm – 90cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |