Tricyrtis formosana - Toad Lily

The Tricyrtis formosana, sometimes called Orchid Lily or Formosa Toad Lily, is a rather strange Asian species that is both charming and vigorous. Indeed, this perennial hides in the coolness of the undergrowth, a flowering as original as it is delightful, evoking in the eyes of the observer small lilies or pretty orchids with white-pink petals heavily speckled with violet-pink. They appear in late summer, borne in terminal clusters by robust and villous stems sheathed in dark green and glossy cordate leaves. This plant with a very exotic appearance takes root on a powerful stump which proves to be solid and hardy, easily colonizing partially shaded areas with humus-bearing and moist soil.

The Tricyrtis formosana is a rhizomatous perennial plant of the lily family, mainly native to the humid forests of Taiwan. This highly ornamental species is now widely cultivated in temperate climate countries, particularly in the gardens of enlightened French enthusiasts. Planted in a rather fresh, shaded area with some sunlight, this Toad Lily grows rapidly to a height of 90 cm (35in) and spreads quite quickly. The plantforms deciduous clumps, with erect and villous stems, quite thick, bearing sheathing leaves 10 cm (4in) long, ovate with cordate bases, of a shiny dark green. They are crossed by prominent and parallel veins. Flowering takes place from August to October, in the form of terminal cymes bearing beautiful small flowers 3 cm (1in) in diameter, star-shaped and fully open. They are composed of 6 white-pink tepals intensely speckled with purple-violet and a central column called a spur, bearing stigma with the same shades and patterns. A slightly yellow-tinged throat occupies the center of the corolla.

The Tricyrtis has stimulated gardeners' imagination; nicknamed Orchid Lily for the shape of its flower, Toad Lily for a reason that escapes us (perhaps because it likes coolness and humidity, its flower is punctate like the skin of the amphibian, or simply out of contradiction?).

Still too little used in our gardens, it will happily share the territory of hostas and ferns, offering its flowers during a season when most other woodland flowers have faded. While early frosts may harm its flowering, it is a very hardy plant that will bring an exotic and unexpected touch to a shaded rockery. Perfectly at home among the round and mossy stones of a Japanese garden, it also thrives well in a pot on a shaded terrace, where its lanceolate foliage is decorative from spring to autumn.

Attention, the young shoots are often targeted by small gray slugs!