'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.