Herbaceous perennial
Tricyrtis hirta
Japanese toad lily
A fully hardy woodland perennial with hairy, upright stems and purple-spotted white flowers in late summer and autumn.
- Full shade, Partial shade
- 50–75 cm (20–30 in)
- 10–40 cm (4–16 in)
- H7 · Zone 4
- August–October
- Deciduous
Overview
The Japanese toad lily is a reliable, fully hardy choice for a shaded border, producing erect, softly hairy stems clothed in alternate leaves, topped from late summer into autumn by an unusual succession of star-shaped white flowers, heavily speckled with purple, held close along the upper stems. It needs no special winter protection anywhere in the UK, but appreciates a humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil in a sheltered spot; young plants can benefit from a cold frame or greenhouse for their first winter in colder gardens, and slugs are the main threat to emerging spring shoots.
At a Glance
Growing Conditions
Aspect Suitability
- North-facing
- East-facing
- West-facing
Soil Tolerance
- Clay
- Loam
- Acid
- Neutral pH
- Alkaline
Foliage
Foliage interest: May–October
Seasonal Timeline
- Flowering Aug Sep Oct
- Foliage May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
- Fruiting Oct Nov
- Propagate Mar Apr
Maintenance Calendar
- Mar Protect emerging shoots from slugs and snails
- Apr Add leaf mould around the crown
- Jun Keep the root area moist during dry summer spells
- Sep Enjoy the spotted late-season flowers
- Nov Cut back old stems as they die down for winter
Garden Design
Works well in: Cottage, Tropical, Tropical / Exotic, Underplanting, Woodland
Underplant roses and shrubs in a shady border, or use in a woodland garden alongside ferns and hostas; the spotted flowers reward a close look, so site it near a path.
Companion planting: Ferns, Hostas, Japanese anemones
Wildlife Value
- Other pollinators
- Shelter
Safety
No well-established toxicity; ornamental plant only.