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Photo by L.A. Jackson
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Photo by L.A. Jackson
Think of a lily, and visions of a colorful, tubular flower with graceful arching petals probably start to fill your head. Now, to this image of botanical bliss, add the word “toad,” and then feel free to scratch your head. The toad lily (Tricyrtis sp.) is indeed part of the lily family, but as far as the amphibian angle goes, that just shows what can happen when plant namers are having an off day.
A common explanation for the odd appellation “toad lily” is that the spots on its blooms look like a toad’s dots and dimples. That’s their story, and they’re stickin’ to it.
There are some 20 species of toad lilies, but the most common—meaning easiest to find at local garden centers—is Tricyrtis hirta, an herbaceous perennial that originates from Japan. Topping out at around 2 to 3 feet tall (depending on the cultivar), this pretty plant sports sturdy stems showing off clusters of 1-inch, exotic, orchid-like blooms that wait until late summer into early fall to start their flower-fest. The blossoms are typically pale lilac dusted with purple specks, but because there is such a wide range of cultivars, many interesting color variations and combinations exist.
And if, in your search for flowering toads, you come across cultivars of another common species, Tricyrtis formosana, give them a good look, too, because these Taiwan natives will also be happy in South Carolina landscapes.
Flustered gardeners with too many sunless spots take note: The toad lily is a hardy woodland dweller well suited to areas of light to moderate shade. This beauty will also look nice and play well with other plants such as hostas, Solomon’s seal, hellebores, astilbes, and ferns that reside in the shadows.
As is typical with most perennials, autumn is a great time to plant toad lilies. Tucked into organically rich, slightly acidic soil, these delightfully odd pretties become rather undemanding plants after the first year they are established. Once settled in and happy, don’t be surprised if they start a yearly routine of reseeding in the late fall.
Toad lilies are deer-resistant, but if rabbits aren’t strangers to your garden, keep watch—these furry foragers have been known to take a liking to new foliage. Slugs can be an annoyance as well because they occasionally gravitate to munching on young leaves, too.
October in the Garden
• Twigs, leaves, seeds, nuts, bark and other bits of refuse from the waning growing season are beginning to fall into water gardens now. Skimming the water daily can help keep it clear, but an easier, more efficient way is to spread a cloth mesh screen across the pond to catch any dropping debris this autumn.
• Any leaves that fall in the yard can be raked up, of course, but if your lawn is still growing and you are still mowing, consider using a bag attachment to gather up both leaves and grass to benefit your garden next year. Fresh grass cuttings mixed with chopped dry foliage is a perfect starter combination for a compost pile, which, if properly managed, can create organic “black gold” for the spring garden next year.
Tip of the month
’Tis the season of the Great Pumpkin! To extend the visual pleasure of your “Big Orange” through the Halloween season and beyond, if it is going to be an outside decoration, be sure to locate it in an area away from bright sunlight most of the day. Also, pumpkins that last the longest are ones that have at least 2 to 3 inches of stem still attached. And obviously stating the obvious, but an uncarved pumpkin will have a longer show-off life.
L.A. JACKSON is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.