Tip #8: Toad Lily (Tricyrtis hirta)
Toad lilies bring exotic, orchid-like beauty to shady autumn garden corners when most other shade plants are winding down for the year. Native to Japanese woodlands, this unique perennial grows one to two feet tall with arching stems and fuzzy, ladder-like foliage. From September into mid-November, tiny star-shaped flowers speckled with rich magenta spots open reliably along the leaf axils.
Hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9, toad lilies withstand night frosts down to 28°F (-2°C) without losing their delicate flower form or vibrant purple spots. Plant toad lilies in partial to full shade and rich, moist, acidic soil supplemented with organic leaf mold. Because they bloom so late in the season, place them along garden pathways where you can admire their intricate detail up close. Keep the soil evenly moist during summer dry spells to prevent leaf tip burn, and mulch heavily in cold-winter regions to protect the crown.
