Toad lily

Toad lily: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Clump of upright to arching stems up to 80 cm tall and 50 cm wide, slowly spreading by short runners.

Leaves

Lance-shaped, 8–15 cm, hairy, clasping the stem and alternate.

Flower

Star-shaped, 2–3 cm across, upright in the leaf axils and at the tips; six tepals, three of which have a small pouch at the base.

Colour

White to pale lilac, densely spotted with purple; almost white forms also exist.

Roots

Fine, fleshy roots with short runners.

Flowering: September–October · Plants: March–May and September · Pruning: March

Why grow it?

• Flowers in September and October, when the shade border is otherwise quiet.
• Unusual, spotted flowers that look like orchids up close.
• One of the few late-flowering plants for half shade and shade.
• Bees and bumblebees visit the flowers, even late in the season.
• Hardy and easy, as long as the soil stays rich in humus and moist.

Toad lily: where does it grow best?

• Half shade or light shade; fierce midday sun scorches the leaves.
• Humus-rich loam, clay or peaty soil, acid to neutral.
• Normally moist: do not let it dry out in summer, but avoid wet feet in winter.
• Sheltered from strong wind and early frosts, for example between shrubs.
• Plant at the front of the border, 40–50 cm apart, so you can see the flowers up close.

Light

Partial shade and shade

Soil type

Loam, clay or peat

Acidity

Acid or neutral

Moisture

Normal

Size

0.8 m tall, 0.5 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -20 °C)

Goes well with

• Japanese anemone: Flowers at the same time in autumn, a little taller, in pink or white.
• Japanese forest grass: An arching grass that suits the curving stems.
• Hosta: Large leaves that cover the ground around the stems.
• Ferns: Fresh fronds in the same moist half shade.
• Bugbane: White, scented flower spikes in autumn, also for shade.

Toad lily: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–May and September.

1. Plant in March–May or in September.
2. Work in plenty of leaf mould or well-rotted compost.
3. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and set the plant at the same depth as it was in the pot.
4. Leave 40–50 cm between plants.
5. Water in well and keep the soil moist for the first few weeks.
6. Spread a layer of leaf mould around the plant.

Care

Water

Keep the soil moist, especially in dry summers: in drought the leaves get brown edges and flowering is disappointing.

Feeding

In spring a layer of compost or organic fertiliser.

Mulching

A layer of leaf mould in spring keeps the soil cool, moist and rich in humus.

Slugs

Protect the young shoots in April and May: that is when they are most vulnerable.

Support

In too dark a spot the stems flop badly; sturdy neighbours or a low support help.

Tip: Put it beside a path or in a large pot near the patio: the flowers are small and look their best when you see them up close.

Toad lily: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March.

When: In March, cut away last year’s dead stems. Otherwise it is not pruned.

How:

• Leave the stems standing after flowering: they protect the roots in winter.
• In March, cut the old stems down to just above the ground, before the new shoots appear.
• Watch out for young shoots that may already be just above the soil.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In March–April, carefully split a clump into pieces with roots and a few buds and replant them straight away.

Runners

In spring, detach young plants at the edge of the clump and plant them elsewhere.

Seed

Sow fresh seed in autumn in a pot and leave it outside. Seedlings take a few years to flower.

Toad lily: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −20 °C.

• Hardy to about −20 °C: no problem in most Belgian winters.
• In autumn, spread a layer of leaf mould or leaves over the spot as extra protection, especially for young plants.
• An early frost in October can damage the last buds; a sheltered spot between shrubs helps.
• Ensure good drainage: cold, waterlogged soil in winter rots the roots.

Diseases and pests

• Slugs: Eat the young shoots in spring and the leaves in summer. Pick them off in the evening and keep the ground around the plant tidy.
• Brown leaf edges: Caused by drought or too much sun. Water, mulch and choose a shadier spot.
• Frosted buds: After an early frost the buds turn brown. Choose a sheltered spot or cover the plant with fleece when frost threatens.
• Root rot: Yellow, limp plants on wet, heavy soil after winter. Improve drainage with compost or move the plant.

Through the year

• March: Cut away old stems. Plant and divide.
• April: New shoots. Protect from slugs.
• May: Plant. Give compost or mulch.
• June: Water in dry spells.
• July: Water in dry spells. Watch for slugs.
• August: Buds form. Keep the soil moist.
• September: Flowering starts. Plant.
• October: Full flower. Protect from early frost.
• November: Leaf mould over the spot. Leave the stems standing.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Did you know?

• Its Japanese name, hototogisu, refers to a cuckoo whose speckled breast feathers resemble the spots on the flower.
• Tricyrtis means ‘three humps’ and refers to the three outer tepals, which each have a small nectar pouch at the base.
• ‘Hirta’ means hairy: the stems and leaves are covered in soft hairs.