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Tricyrtis formosana ‘Samurai’ (Toad Lily)

Toad Lily 'Samurai'

Tricyrtis Formosana 'Samurai', Toad Lily 'Samurai', Purple flowers, flowers for shade, Fall perennial, Shade perennial
Tricyrtis Formosana 'Samurai', Toad Lily 'Samurai', Purple flowers, flowers for shade, Fall perennial, Shade perennial

Perfect to lighten up the shade garden, Tricyrtis formosana ‘Samurai’ (Toad Lily) is a compact, shade-loving perennial with a luminous foliage of shiny, lance-shaped, dark green leaves adorned with golden-yellow margins. In late summer to early fall, clusters of small, orchid-like, purple flowers, heavily sprinkled with dark purple freckles are borne in the upper leaf axils and at the top of erect stems. Sparkling in the garden, Toad Lily is an excellent perennial for adding late season color to the shade garden. Use it as an accent plant, container plant or ground cover in a woodland garden.

  • Relatively trouble-free, this Toad Lily requires little maintenance, is heavy shade tolerant and deer resistant.
  • Grows up to 16 in. tall (40 cm) and 24-36 in. wide (60-90 cm).
  • Part shade to full shade lover, this Toad Lily thrives in organically rich, evenly moist, slightly acidic, well drained soils. Don’t let the soil dry out! Mulch should be added to reduce water evaporation and maintain moisture.
  • While most other perennials have finished blooming, this delicate beauty is just getting started. Plant it in perennial borders, woodlands, by streams, ponds or by a path or sidewalk where you can enjoy this uncommon charmer as you pass it every day.
  • Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or in fall. Propagate by division in early spring
  • Native to Taiwan

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Liliaceae
Genus Tricyrtis
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Tricyrtis Blue Wonder, Toad Lily 'Blue Wonder', Japanese Toad Lily, Purple flowers, flowers for shade, Fall perennial, Shade perennial
Tricyrtis Formosana 'Dark Beauty', Toad Lily 'Dark Beauty', Purple flowers, flowers for shade, Fall perennial, Shade perennial
Tricyrtis Taipei Silk, Toad Lily 'Taipei Silk', Japanese Toad Lily, Purple flowers, flowers for shade, Fall perennial, Shade perennial
Tricyrtis Sinonome, Toad Lily 'Sinonome', Japanese Toad Lily, Purple flowers, flowers for shade, Fall perennial, Shade perennial
Tricyrtis Formosana 'Autumn Glow', Toad Lily 'Autumn Glow', Purple flowers, flowers for shade, Fall perennial, Shade perennial
Tricyrtis hirta 'Miyazaki Hybrids', Toad Lily 'Miyazaki Hybrids', Japanese Toad Lily, Purple flowers, flowers for shade, Fall perennial, Shade perennial

Recommended Companion Plants

Polygonatum Odoratum 'Variegatum', Solomon's Seal Variegatum, Polygonatum multiflorum Variegatum, Polygonatum odoratum 'Grace Barker', Polygonatum × hybridum 'Variegatum', Polygonatum × hybridum 'Striatum', shade perennials, wet soil perennialsAward General
Aster Novae-Angliae 'Andenken an Alma Potschke', New England Aster 'Andenken an Alma Potschke', Michaelmas Daisy 'Andenken an Alma Potschke', Symphyotrichum Novae-Angliae 'Andenken an Alma Potschke', New England Aster 'Alma Potschke', Michaelmas Daisy 'Alma Potschke', Symphyotrichum Novae-Angliae 'Alma Potschke',
Brunnera Macrophylla 'Jack Frost' , Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Siberian Bugloss 'Jack Frost', Heartleaf Brunnera 'Jack Frost', False Forget-Me-Not 'Jack Frost', blue flowers, spring flowersAGM Award
Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance', Autumn Fern 'Brilliance', Japanese Red Shield Fern 'Brilliance', Copper Shield Fern 'Brilliance', Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soilsAGM Award
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Liliaceae
Genus Tricyrtis
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Not sure which Tricyrtis to pick?
Compare Now

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