Tricyrtis formosana ‘Samurai’
at Digging Dog

Tricyrtis

Toad Lily

Some say this fascinating species owes its common name to the Philippine Tasaday Indians’ practice of wiping their hands with juice from the blossoms before setting out to collect frogs. Others say it’s the unusual spotted flowers that account for the name.

Whichever story is true, the blooms have such detail and quiet beauty that they should be admired close-up. They open on gently arching stems for long periods in late summer and early fall, when most other flowers are already spent. With a moist, humus-rich soil, all the Toad Lilies will form elegant clumps.

Tricyrtis formosana ‘Samurai’   

Smaller in stature than the other Tricyrtis cultivars we offer, the wine-colored upright stems of this garden “warrior” are a striking complement to its light green leaves. A further touch of light is achieved by the irregularly variegated, creamy leaf margins. Orchid-like purple flowers have dark plum speckles, and gold and white highlights at their centers. Skirt it with Epimedium grandiflorum ‘Lilafee’.

Blooms August–September.

Size: 16" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 5.

Tricyrtis formosana ‘Samurai’ (P-0143)
Each $7.50
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Other selections in this genus

• Tricyrtis ‘Blue Wonder’
• Tricyrtis ‘Empress’
• Tricyrtis ‘Hatatogisa’
• Tricyrtis hirta ‘Moonlight’
• Tricyrtis x ‘Sinonome’