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No Quibble GuaranteeHow to grow Tricyrtis
Tricyrtis is a distinctive variety of Asian flowering lilies. Trycyrtis’ appearance is striking and exotic, with purple stripes and flecking which are intriguing to behold. Tricyrtis are also referred to as Toad Lilies. First documented back in 1776, they are native to the Himalayas, China and Japan and are grown as ornamental plants in the UK.
Tricyrtis grows to 90cm in height and 60cm in spread. Taking 2-5 years to reach full maturity, Tricyrtis is an autumn bloomer and is perfectly positioned at the front of a border or bed. The foliage of Tricyrtis is dark green in colour and is lightly spotted with dark purple, adding year-round interest.
As a perennial, you can expect your Tricyrtis to re-flower each year. Vibrant star-shaped flowers are full of delicious nectar, bringing bees, butterflies and other essential pollinators to your garden. However, if you have furry friends, position your plants wisely as they are poisonous to dogs and cats.
With an average growth rate, you will not have to worry about your Tricyrtis taking over your garden. While its rhizomes do spread and colonise, Tricyrtis is not an invasive plant.
Ready to add an unusual and striking hardy perennial to your garden? Read on to find out more about all things Tricyrtis…
Key Information
Soil pH
Position
Hardiness
Where & when to plant Tricyrtis
With an easy-going habit Tricyrtis is well-situated at the front of a border due to its small flowers and relatively short height at full maturity. Plant your Tricyrtis plant in spring when the soil is warmer to help establish growth - this gives several months of growth before the winter frost comes in.
How to plant Tricyrtis
Find a position in your border with part sun and part shade - this means benefitting from between 2-4 hours of sunlight a day
Make sure the position has well-draining soil. You can add sand to the soil to create additional drainage - this will prevent root rot and pools of standing water
Dig a hole 2-3 times the size of the root ball. Add the root ball, backfill and gently cover with soil. Water in, ensuring that the top 2.5-5cm of soil are sodden
Water regularly to encourage healthy growth and keep the soil moist. In periods of warm weather or an extended dry spell, water more regularly.
What to plant with Tricyrtis
As Tricyrtis is a late-bloomer and shade-loving plant so you might decide to grow some neighbouring plants with earlier blooms to keep your borders and beds as colourful as possible. Astilbes are a great choice as they enjoy partial sun and partial shade, moist soil and their fluffy pink flowers bloom in the summer months. Ferns are also a good choice: try Polystichum munitum to add a luscious backdrop of green for your Toad lilies to truly stand out. Sorbaria sorbifolia will also provide a long-lasting green and pink display.
How to care for Tricyrtis
Pruning & Deadheading
Once the flowering period is over, the flowers of your Tricyrtiswill begin to fade. You can prune at this point - which is also just before the winter and winter frost - by cutting off the flower stalks. Tricyrtis will grow back healthily in the following growth period.
Watering
Tricyrtis loves moist, well-draining soil, so keep it well watered. However, you also need to avoid root rot - this occurs if the plant roots are in standing water which prevents oxygen from reaching the roots - so make sure the soil drains well.
Cold Protection
As a fully hardy perennial, Tricyrtis can cope in conditions as low as -10°C or -15°C in the UK. However, with its crowns close to the surface, you may decide to add a layer of mulch to keep the plant as healthy as possible during the frost.
Pests & Diseases
There are no well-known pests or diseases to be mindful of as Tricyrtis is notably pest-free. However, you should be mindful of slugs and snails - look out for silvery trails and irregularly-shaped holes in your leaves as these are indicative of a slug/snail problem. Tricyrtis enjoys well-draining soil, so make sure the soil around it is not waterlogged as this will lead to root rot.
How to propagate Tricyrtis
The best way to propagate Tricyrtis is by division. While you can propagate by seed, this is a much longer process. The best time to do this is in late autumn, once the flowering season has ended
Start by gently pulling up the parent plant. Use sharp, disinfected scissors or a knife to cut away some of the roots - being careful to take no more than ⅓ of the parent plant’s roots away. Re-plant the parent plant as soon as possible and water if needed
Add your divisions to a pot with soil or cuttings compost. Bring it indoors or into a sheltered position outside. Water regularly and mist the foliage to keep the full plant hydrated
Once healthy growth has been established, you can grow the plants outdoors in their permanent position. Water 2-3 times a week while growing and 1-2 times a week when fully established.
Common Tricyrtis Questions
Where should I grow Tricyrtis?
Tricyrtis is best placed in a flower bed or border and can also be used as an underplanting for roses or other shrubs. Tricyrtis thrives in positions of partial sun and partial shade, so make sure it will receive between 2-4 hours a day of sunshine in its position.
Is Tricyrtis invasive?
Tricyrtis, or Toad Lily, is capable of colonising - spreading and taking over an area - however, it is typically not an invasive plant.
How do you plant Toad lily bulbs?
If planting Tricyrtis (Toad lily) from a bulb, you will need to start by digging and turning the top 20-25cm of soil in your desired position. If planting multiples, give each around 30cm of space to spread. Add the bulb, backfill the soil, gently pat the soil to settle and water generously.