Tricyrtis hirta

(Toad Lily)

Rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻

Light: β›…β˜οΈ

Deer resistant: no

Moisture: not fussy

Size: 12-30” H x 18” W

Bloom: small, showy, pale, lily-like purple spotted flowers appear in September

Garden zone: 4-5

Tricyrtis forms clumps of single stems from which alternating lance-shaped leaves are attached. In September, the termini of stems are adorned with small, very showy, pale lily-like flowers that are spotted with purple splotches. The species, Tricyrtis hirta forms upgright stands up to 30" tall. The cultivar 'Miyazaki' is slightly smaller, hardy to only zone 5, and features arching stems with showier flowers. Tricyrtis will bloom even in deep shade. It is a wonderful plant in the fall garden. Deer love to eat Tricyrtis, so take necessary precautions. Both the species and 'Miyazaki' do well in central New York, but 'Miyazaki' suffers more overwintering loss than the species.