Tricyrtis hirta
Toad Lily
a perennial member of the Tricyrtis genus in the family Tricyrtidaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Tricyrtidaceae
- Genus
- Tricyrtis
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.8 m
- Spread
- 0.45 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves and young shoots - cooked.
- Plant part
- Leaves
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Habitat
- Shady rocks[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed requires 12 weeks stratification at 5°c[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division just before growth starts in spring to single crowns[1]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a humus-rich fertile well-drained but moisture-retentive acid or neutral light sandy loam in partial shade[1][3]. Prefers the dappled shade of a woodland garden but tolerates full sun if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season, flowering earlier in such a position[3]. Plants also require a sunnier position in the northern parts of Britain[4]. This species is hardy to about -20°c, but if prolonged cold weather is not accompanied by snow cover the plants will appreciate a good mulch of organic matter[2]. Plants are very susceptible to attacks by slugs[1].
References
Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8