Tricyrtis hirta
Garden Plant Information

 

Tricyrtis hirta

 

 

Name

Tricyrtis hirta (also called toad lily)

Genus  

Tricyrtis

Species

hirta

Cultivar/variety

 

General description

Clump-forming perennial of the lily family, grown for exotic-looking speckled flowers. Combines well with hardy ferns.

Season of interest

Flowers in late summer and autumn.

Key horticultural features

  1. Upright, spreading habit. H: 80cm  S: 60cm.

  2. Stems – round, green with some brownish tinges, slightly hairy.

  3. Leaves – mid-green, lanceolate, no petiole.

  4. Flowers – five white sepals, spotted with purple and with a yellow patch at the base of each, surround a group of stigmas forming a solid cross, protruding from the centre of each. All parts of the flower are spotted with purple.

Cultural details

Aspect

Partial shade to shade. Useful for woodland planting schemes. Tolerates sunnier positions if the ground is moist but may be susceptible to leaf scorch.

Soil

Moist, Well-drained/light. Prefers a slightly acidic soil.

Hardiness

Hardy.

Maintenance

Protect from slugs. Plants benefit from a deep mulch of organic matter in prolonged cold spells if not blanketed by snow.

Propagation

 

Division of clumps during winter dormancy.