'Autumn Glow' Formosa Toad Lily (Tricyrtis)
Perennial
- Orchid-like flowers bloom in late summer, even in full shade!
- Variegated yellow and green foliage glows.
- Easy to grow, deer resistant, and suitable for beginners.
- Zones 4-9, shade to part sun, 26" tall and 36" wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
If you haven't grown toad lilies (or Tricyrtis ) yet, you may be surprised by its easy-growing nature. These shade-loving perennials require little to no maintenance in the landscape and are seldom damaged by deer. Plant them as a ground cover or accent in a woodland garden with moist yet well-draining soils, and it will reward you with attractive foliage and flowers.
Details
Common name: Formosa toad lily, toad lily, arctic orchid
Zone: 4 - 9
Sun exposure: Shade (< 4 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 24-26" x 24-36"
Flower color: Shades of purple, blue, and red
Foliage color: Green and yellow variegation
Season of interest: Summer and fall
Bloom time: Midsummer, late summer, and early fall
Features: Deer resistant, ground cover, heat tolerant, rare & unusual, best for beginners
Uses: Accent, container gardening, woodland gardening, massing, border, cut flower, cut foliage
How to Grow
Light: Shade (< 4 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun). Foliage may scorch if grown in too much sun. Although plants tolerate light morning sun, they need afternoon shade.
Water: Average. Keep the soil consistently moist but not too wet.
Spacing: 18 - 24 inches
Fertilizing: Fertilizing is not required, but plants may benefit from applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
Winterizing: Allow the plant to die back in the winter and trim the dead foliage. They do not add winter interest and perform best when cut back after heavy frost. Tricytris are slow to wake in spring, so do not be alarmed if they don't emerge with other perennials.
Maintenance & pruning: Formosa toad lilies spread slowly via stolons, so they may need some care to contain them in a single area. Pruning is not required, though it does improve flower production. Cut back your plants by half or less in early June to encourage branching. Keep in mind pruning may slightly delay flowering, but your patience will be rewarded with more blooms.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
My plants were not packaged well..dirt all over, my lily looked sick, my creeping thyme was all over the box. I would post pics, but it doesn't give that option...will not get my business again.
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
Sorry, but Toad Lilies are NOT deer resistant - mine were eaten to the ground and this is in summer when there are many other options for them.
We're sorry that the deer enjoyed your plants before you could. Young plants are especially susceptible to deer damage, so we highly recommend protecting new plants in areas with high deer traffic. All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please send your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping!
It was a little beat up by the heat but it was hot outside to begin with. Other than that it looks great and I expect it to do just fine in the garden. Thanks!!!!
These plants are growing like crazy. Love them so much.
Purchased last month came dry but was green,yellow stems no damage. Watered and waited to replant now have two stems that continue to grow and I am glad to watch. My first online plant purchase will make another purchase soon. Everything as in descriptions and doing great in my shaded area. Thank you.
I’ve bought a lot of plants from online sellers and yours are among the top quality to date. Gracias.
Planted it in my garden and seems to be happy! I believe when it blooms it will be very cute
I have ordered a lot of plants from GGP over the years and I have been very happy every time. Everything comes back and thrives in the second year. They offer so many more options than the Nursery in my area. I can't wait to see how this Toad Lily does in my shade garden.
Packaged very carefully and well, fast shipping and healthy plants!
After first tasting the Toad Lily’s leaves, the deer have left it alone (so far), so I’m hopeful it will thrive. Unfortunately they feasted on the foamflower and ate it down to the ground. Sigh.
When can you plant toad lillies
Our general rule of thumb is that planting should be done before the temperatures reach 85 degrees or higher consecutively. If temperatures are already this high in your area, planting is not a good idea. Fall planting, at least 6 weeks before the first frost in your area, is also a wonderful idea!