The Toad Lily Tricyrtis Hirta is a most unusual plant with small exotic looking flowers and hairy green leaves.
The one in our round garden has been in the same position for a number of years. The flowers which are white with purple dots start to open in the third week of August and continue through till October. I have seen comments which indicate a little doubt about their hardiness in colder areas.
Well, Trycyrtis has never shown any signs of struggling in our Aberdeen garden, which is in a frost pocket, making it colder in Winter than some of the other areas in Aberdeen.
For best results plant your toad lily in a position which has dappled sunlight, I could imagine it looking particulary good in a woodland edge. For your own peace of mind you could give it a mulch to give protection over Winter, I have actually never done this. Do plant your Tricyrtis Hirta in a position where it does not dry out otherwise it may well struggle, our plant must have really enjoyed the Summer of 2011.
Hardiness – I am sticking with fully hardy
Position – Semi shade
Height 80cm
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A few nooks and crannies in the garden this Summer which I think looked not bad at all.
Well, the first ones really just an excuse to show Purdees skills, taken in late May.
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What all do we have in this corner, picture taken in mid August. Centre we have the begonia Flamboyant in a terracotta tub with ivy scrambling over the edges. To the right is the magnificent Hypericum Inodorum Magical Beauty which I will revisit soon in my plant profiles where I will add a bit more detailed information. To the left of the pedestal is the Box ball with cineraria at the centre. Just to the right is the Alstroemeria Princess Paola. The small tree with the white berries is the Rowan Cashmeriana.
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This shady spot of the garden in late August is where the Begonia Helen Harmes grows best of all.
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The Clematis Etoile violette outshines the Blue Angel in this spot, wait and see what Blue Angel can do though. Well some other time.
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Next year lets see if we can have a few more flowers on the Hydrangea macrophylla.
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I think that I was pleased most of all with this spot of the garden, I will talk to you about that blowzy Filipendula in another occasion.
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Back in mid May the Rhododendrons were looking good. We do have a long growing season in spite of my complaining about the weather. The Silver Birch behind the Rhoddie planted over twenty years ago has now grown so large and is so near our neighbours house we decided to remove it a couple of weeks ago. Pruning of course was seriously considered, but on this occasion we felt we did the right thing.
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Looking towards the Woodland area of the garden on a beautiful May day.
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© 2011, Alistair. All rights reserved.
Hi Alistair, Your toad lily is so exotic looking and beautiful. I have lots of dappled shade, but not the moist conditions that I believe they prefer. The various shots of your garden all show it off splendidly. The cat in mid-air is quite amazing. What a dare devil! This summer I have admired Filipendula on another blog and in a local garden. I would like to know more about it and so look forward to that future post.
Jennifer@threedogsinagarden recently posted..To Market to Buy Some Fresh Flowers
Thanks Jennifer, true enough the Toad lily would struggle in dry conditions.
Wonderful photos as always…. I do enjoy the way you lay out your posts now and appreciate the opportunities to visit your garden each week! Larry
Larry recently posted..2011 gardens in review… part 2… June
Thanks Larry, posting once per week allows me to take a little more care with my posts.
I have often considered getting a toad lily, but have each time decided against it. I think it would be a bit too dry here. Yours is pretty, though. Such an unusual flower. Great action shot of Purdee! You have a cornucopia of blooms and beauty in your garden. Very pretty. Sorry you had to lose the Silver Birch – it looks lovely there.
Holleygarden recently posted..A Problem – A Solution
Hi Holley, you did have me checking on that ancient word (cornucopia)
So fun to find a post about those cute lilies that look like little orchids and not a bit like toads– who names these things? I have a couple types of these plants and they both need moving out from under other things that got big. Very nice to read about what sort of neighborhood to seek for them. They are so dependable and pretty. And I must add that I am extremely impressed with your flying cat, very rare.
Linniew recently posted..Cozy Factor rising
Linnie, the toad lilies thing is strange, tell me about plants which need changing position, I will never learn.
Lovely images and garden, Alistair. But having caught Purdee in mid jump is the winning picture of the day.
Donna recently posted..The Month in Tens 2- 30 Days of September
Thanks Donna, I would never win a photography competition, it would just be in my nature to say well it was just a fluke!
Your captures are beautiful and so are your flowers and landscape. I am surprised that you only started to be interested with photography last year.
That flying cat is amazing! What a spectacular capture!
One recently posted..Invasion of the Hornets
Hello One, the shot of Purdee a bit of a fluke really.
Hi Alistair – your Toad Lily is lovely and looks very exotic. I’m amazed at how everything just thrives in your garden. Every area looks so lovely and well kept, not a leaf out of place
Your Clematis looks fabulous – I have two tiny Clematis – new ones I was given. They have just started new growth and I’m holding thumbs they grow well. I will be so thrilled if they ever look half as good as yours.
PS: Purdees skills are indeed impressive!!
Christine @ The Gardening Blog recently posted..Adieu to the Tulips
Christine, I feel sure that your Clematis will thrive under your care, they can take a couple of years to settle in.
Great catch with that photo of the cat.
Your garden looks amazing as usual. I like how that wheelbarrow looks in the garden
fer @ my little garden in japan recently posted..New gardening books
Hi Fer, I have to admit, I was taking a picture of Purdee sitting on a sundial when she happened to leap.
I think I have fallen in love with toad lilies Alistair, beautiful flowers. Your Etoile Violette flowered a lot later than mine, which also got attacked by mildew, very sad, they are wonderful plants. Your woodland area is lovely.
Janet/Plantaliscious recently posted..Celebrating Foliage
Hi Janet, the Etoile Violette has been in flower since the second week in July. Plants which burn out in the south can hang on and on here patiently waiting for a bit more heat in the sun to arrive.
Sorry, Alistair but the shot of Purdee flying through the air is what is stuck in my mind.
Bom recently posted..X-Plant
Bom, I like that!
Your nooks and crannies in the garden are so beautiful. You have so many great plant combinations. This is the first year that I have grown Toad lilies and I have just loved having then in the late summer and fall garden.
They are definitely worth having in the garden Lona.
Alistair, toad lilies are hardy where we are, (USDA zone 6a, although I don’t know how that translates to where you are) and we have pretty harsh winters.
They are incredibly gorgeous – they remind me of orchids, and when you are strolling in the woodland garden, you don’t expect to see something like that blooming next to the fountain. (Then again, you don’t expect to see the fountain either!) Ours bloomed earlier than usual this year, in part, I think, because the early part of the summer was wet and not as hot as it usually is. I have three plants but put it on my wish list to add some more next spring. They are one of the few things we have blooming this late in the season in the woodland garden aside from some reblooming hostas and roses of Sharon, and I want to get some different colors as well. (There is a Japanese one that is pink/mauve and cream.)
As for your little nooks…. they are absolutely wonderful, havens, all of them. I could curl up with my Kindle and never leave!
Cathy recently posted..Garden Bloggers’ Foliage Day – September, 2011
Cathy, Hostas which rebloom, I doubt that would happen here. I am addicted to novel reading, starting to have a little difficulty now unless the book is being illuminated with strong light, think I will have a look at these kindle things.
Toad-lilies are completely hardy without winter protection in the mid-Atlantic U.S. As far as moisture, I have had way more die from too much water than not enough so I always recommend a well-drained site for them. My favorites are: ‘Sinonome’ spectacular, Empress, T. latifolia (yellow), and ‘Miyazaki’. Love the cat photo–I am a cat person.
Carolyn @ Carolyn’s Shade Gardens recently posted..Forever Young
Hi Carolyn I feel they do prefer moist soil which is free draining, boggy conditions would certainly kill them off. Just going to check your favourites.
Love tricyrtis alistair, love them, they should do well here, they did on islay…….action stole the show cat!
The middle of that tricyrtis looks like a passion flower (minus the spots of course) with those crazy stigmas.
Love the clematis too. Ace post.
They do look a bit like Passion flowers Fay.
Action cat stole the show that should have said, darn iPads and their incapable operatives!
Alistair – Enjoyed having a peek at your nooks & crannies. I like the combination of the toad lilies next to the bush with purple foliage.
b-a-g recently posted..Sedum Spectabile (25 SEP 2011)
Thats the leaves of a Japanese Acer b-a-g.
Hi Alistair, I enjoyed looking at the latest photos of your garden, still looking so lush and superb in autumn. And good timing too with the jumping cat!
Toad lily flowers are up there as one of my favourite flowers and something I look forward to seeing between late summer till autumn. All of ours seems a bit later than usual to bloom this year and they are all still in bud, but should open in the next few days. I commend the way you photographed them, they look so vivid and the colours seems to jump out of our computer screen, a visual delight!
Mark and Gaz recently posted..The September Garden
M and G well chuffed that you like my pictures,
Toad lilies are hardy in our garden too without mulching. We also grew them in Orkney . So they must be hardy …
Janet at Planticru Notes recently posted..The Trials and Tribulations of Cyclamen Hederifolium
Yes Janet, it does look like they are truly fully hardy.
No, I don’t think I like that toad lily. There is something vaguely creepy about it. But I do like all the other stuff!
Kininvie recently posted..Sraights and curves
I guess it wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste, strange if we were all the same.
Your Toad Lily is fabulous! The Filipendula also took my eye. Lovely as always to take a stroll around your garden!
Garden Sense recently posted..Combinations for Late Summer – II
Always glad to see you Chris.
Dear Alastair, I love the Tricyrtis Hirta, but I prefer to call it Spot (common, non scientific name!) I love all the photos of the garden, beautiful photographic compositions, but my outstanding favourite is the one with the flying cat. cheers, catmint
Catmint, spot! yesI like that.
Your Toad Lily captured my heart… it is divine! Cold hearty? I need that. But what about hot Summer? Unfortunately I have that too. I’ll have to check into this… maybe even take a risk. LOVE that gorgeous blossom.
We often take a chance with plants Carolyn. cold hearty?
hello Alistair, as always you have beautiful blooms but the picture of Purrdee in action is the best, Frances
Island Threads recently posted..an end of month view ~ Alder garden
Thanks Frances, Purdee is the star of this one.
Those are exceptionally good photos of Tricyrtis. I love the purple Acer palmatum leaves as a backdrop. I suppose that won’t last long as the trees mature. I agree about Tricyrtis & dryness. I can’t keep them alive through the desiccation of my garden in summer, even with moderate irrigation.
Jordan Jackson recently posted..Portland Japanese Garden
Thanks Jordan, your comments mean a lot to me as I know how particular and professional you are.
We have a cool Mediterranean climate: wet in winter, dry in summer. My garden is drier than most because I live at the top of a ridge.
Jordan Jackson recently posted..Portland Japanese Garden
Ah, gotcha Jordan, I have been watching too many movies made in Seattle giving me the impression that it rained as much there as it does in Aberdeen.
I adore toad lilies…they are so exotic and a welcome sight in the fall garden
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..Calm
Some folks find them a little strange Donna, but I am also very fond of them.
Again, love the tricyrtis with the purple foliage behind it. Is that an acer in the background?
My C. Etoile Violette is reblooming at the moment also. It is nice to have another touch of early summer before the big winter plunge.
Julie
Wife Mother Gardener recently posted..How to Plant/Transplant Lavender in a Wet Climate ~ Fall Gardening Tasks #1
Wife/mother Yes it is an Acer. Thanks for the visit.
ahh… I see from above that it is. Thanks.
Wife Mother Gardener recently posted..How to Plant/Transplant Lavender in a Wet Climate ~ Fall Gardening Tasks #1