Tricyrtis formosana Pink Freckles - Toad Lily

Tricyrtis formosana 'Pink Freckles' is a delightful variety of toad lily, a perennial of the undergrowth. Some say the blooms resemble orchids, while others think they look like lilies. Its late flowering displays blooms with white petals heavily speckled with dark pink and purple. They appear in late summer, carried in terminal clusters by robust and hairy stems sheathed in large green leaves. This woodland plant has a very exotic appearance, but it is sturdy and hardy, anchored on a powerful stump, easily colonising half-shaded, humus-rich and moist soil.

Tricyrtis formosana 'Pink Freckles' is a rhizomatous perennial plant from the Liliaceae family. Its wild ancestor originates mainly from the moist forests of Taiwan. This highly ornamental species is now widely cultivated in temperate climate countries. Planted in a rather cool, shaded area with some sunlight, this toad lily quickly grows to a minimum height of 50cm (20in), and spreads quite rapidly with its slightly trailing stump. From spring, the plant forms clumps of upright and hairy stems, which are quite thick. They bear sheathing leaves measuring 10cm (4in) in length, which are ovate with cordate bases. The leaves are a slightly glossy medium green and are crossed by prominent parallel veins. The flowering takes place from August to October, in the form of terminal cymes bearing beautiful small star-shaped flowers measuring 3cm (1in) in diameter. In this 'Pink Freckles' variety, they are composed of 6 white-pink tepals, intensely speckled with dark pink and purple, and a central column called a spur bearing more pink stigmas speckled with a deeper pink. A slightly yellowish throat occupies the centre of the corolla.

Tricyrtis has captured the imagination of gardeners: nicknamed orchid lily for the shape of its flower, or toad lily for a reason that escapes us (perhaps because it likes moisture and humidity, or because its flower is spotted like the skin of an amphibian?). 

Still too little used in our gardens, it will happily share the soil with hostas and ferns, offering its flowers in a season when most other undergrowth 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 shady rockery. Perfectly at home among the round and mossy stones of a Japanese garden, it also thrives well in a pot on a shaded patio, where its lanceolate foliage is decorative from spring to autumn.

Be careful! Small grey slugs often target its young shoots.