Tricyrtis (Toad Lily)
at Digging Dog

Including Tricyrtis varieties Samurai, Hatatogisa, Sinonome

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.

View a slideshow of plant images from this genus

Tricyrtis ‘Blue Wonder’    

A jewel of the shadows, velvet-smooth lily-like flowers are defined by pronounced violet anthers and creamy white and powder blue petals dramatically splashed with bluish purple flecks. Compact gently arching stems and ovate emerald green leaves forge a stylish vase-shaped base for rounded maroon buds and exotic-looking late season flowers. Inheriting hirta and formosana ancestry, ‘Blue Wonder’ needs to be ensconced along a path where its amazing detail can be easily relished.

Blooms September – October.

Size: 18"–2' high x 12"–15" wide; hardy to zone 5.

Tricyrtis ‘Blue Wonder’ (P-1719)
Each $7.75
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Tricyrtis ‘Empress’    

Renowned for its extra large and wider open flowers, this exquisite, newly introduced Toad Lily is a formosana hybrid. Ornate, spidery spaced petals are inscribed by occasional darkened tips and irregular velvet-rich deep purple spots, stipples and mottling on a creamy white background. An enticing fall beacon amongst the shadows, ‘Empress’s showy terminal blooms are supported by an upright robust gathering of lustrous, semi-clasping dark green foliage that stays dapper all season.

Blooms August – September.

Size: 2-1/4' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 5.

Tricyrtis ‘Empress’ (P-1469)
Each $7.75
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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)
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Tricyrtis ‘Hatatogisa’    

These purple-spotted, dark dusty blue flowers with white centers evoke images of early night skies sprinkled with stars. The dark green foliage is also spotted, and combines with deep purple buds to give this spectacular Tricyrtis long lasting appeal. Plant with Kirengeshoma and double the intrigue of the flowers and foliage.

Blooms September–October.

Size: 2' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 5.

Tricyrtis ‘Hatatogisa’ (P-0423)
Each $7.75
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Tricyrtis hirta ‘Moonlight’    

Attired in neon-bright chartreuse foliage, this hirta ‘Variegata’ sport is a shining beacon for any shady spot that needs some oomph. Arching stems feature arresting, purple flecked white flowers that heighten the illuminated composition.

Introduced by Bluebird Nursery, ‘Moonlight’ maintains its refreshing, well-groomed look throughout the season.

Blooms September–October.

Size: 20" high x 18"–2' wide; hardy to zone 5.

Tricyrtis hirta ‘Moonlight’ (P-1355)
Each $7.75
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Tricyrtis lasiocarpa    

Amethyst Toad Lily

A favored standout among Tricyrtis, this exceptional species sprouts an attractive tightset clump of sturdy erect arching stems garbed with glistening green and purple freckled alternating leaves. Amethyst and blue petal tips embellish white upward facing orchid-style blooms that populate large well-branched terminal sprays. Hailing from Taiwan, where it has been observed growing in nearly full sun, Amethyst Toad Lily’s lovely long blooming flowers can model their ornate features in a brighter garden bed.

Blooms August– September.

Size: 3' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 7.

Tricyrtis lasiocarpa (P-0271)
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Tricyrtis x ‘Sinonome’    

Long esteemed in Japan for its elegant cut flowers, ‘Sinonome’ presents a pleasing vase-shaped clump of upright stems lined with lustrous, clean-looking dark green foliage. Emerging from buds the color of chocolate, white, upfacing blooms show off richly colored ruby freckles. One of the more heat and drought tolerant Toadlilies, this Tricyrtis could be planted next to Aster divaricatus.

Blooms September–October.

Size: 2'–3' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5.

Tricyrtis x ‘Sinonome’ (P-1228)
Each $7.75
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