Toad Lily

Toad Lily (Tricyrtis formosana) is the perennial for a shaded corner that refuses to flower. It makes a clump about 70cm tall and 50cm across, then opens sprays of small orchid shaped blooms, white heavily freckled with purple, from late summer into autumn. The arching stems carry flowers along their length, so a clump reads as a scatter of colour rather than one flush.

Why you'll love it

• It flowers in shade. Dappled light or morning sun only is what it wants, which makes it useful under established trees.
• Late season colour. Blooms run from late summer into autumn, filling the gap after the spring perennials finish.
• It tolerates damp ground. Wet feet do not bother it, so it suits a low spot where drier perennials sulk.
• Frost hardy and tidy. It handles cold gardens, dies back cleanly over winter and returns from the crown each spring.
• Good for pollinators. Bees and butterflies work the flowers through the tail of the season.

Where it works best

Shaded borders and edging. A run along a shaded path at 40cm spacing gives a soft low band of foliage. At 70cm tall it sits neatly in front of taller shrubs.

Mass planting under trees. Plant 40cm apart in drifts of five or more. The flowers are small and detailed, so a drift is what makes them read from a distance.

Pots and small gardens. One clump fills a 300mm pot on a shaded verandah. In the garden, pair it with something evergreen to cover the winter dormancy.

Growing toad lily in Australia

Position and climate. Partial shade, sheltered from hot afternoon sun, which scorches the leaf edges. This is a cool temperate and warm temperate plant, best in cool southern gardens, the tablelands and the milder coastal cities. Subtropical and tropical summers are usually too much for it.

Soil. Rich and moisture retentive, with compost or leaf litter worked through. It is one of the few perennials that genuinely accepts wet feet, though not stagnant water. Mulch 50mm deep to keep the roots cool.

Water and feed. Keep the soil consistently moist through spring and summer, because this is not a plant to let dry out. Watering can taper off once the foliage dies down. A handful of complete organic fertiliser in early spring is enough.

Pruning. Cut spent stems to ground level once they yellow off in late autumn. Divide the clump every three or four years in early spring, and use the divisions to extend the planting.

What to expect when it arrives

Toad Lily is sold as tube stock: a young plant in a small pot, usually a single crown with a few stems. That is the sensible way to buy a perennial, affordable enough to plant the drifts this species needs. Expect full size in the second season, with the first proper flowering the autumn after planting.

If it arrives in winter or early spring it may be dormant or cut back, which looks alarming and is not a fault. Plant it out, keep it moist, and shoots appear as the soil warms. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Low planting and ground cover for shaded beds
• Browse plants for partial shade
• Perennials for a cottage garden
• Compare plants for cool climates

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Space plants 40cm apart for a mass planting or border edge. At that spacing the clumps touch by the second season and cover the soil without crowding.

Does it really die back in winter?

Yes. It is a herbaceous perennial, so the top growth yellows and collapses in late autumn and it winters as a dormant crown. New shoots appear in spring, and the clump returns larger each year.

Is it safe around pets?

There is no reliable toxicity data for this species, so we do not list it as pet friendly. If your cat or dog chews garden plants, site it out of reach.