Tricyrtis 'Sinonome'

Sizes available: HPP quart, foliage slightly burnt, price reduced

Basics: zones 5-8, 2-2.5+' x 1-2', part shade to full shade, blooms in early to mid fall, the flowers are white with purple markings held in clusters on tall stems, very much prefers consistently moist to even wettish soils that are rich and slightly acidic, however a few sources have mentioned a drought tolerance once established and this may be true in the shadier spots. I will keep you posted, but err on the side of consistent moisture while establishing.

Common names: Toad lily

Family: Liliaceae

Origin/Distributuion: The genus, comprising 16 species is found from the eastern Himalayas to the Philippines. This plant is a hybrid from T. hirta (central and southern Japan) and T. formosana (Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands).

Habitat: T. hirta likes shaded rocky cliffs and stream banks. T. formosana is found in shady forests and thickets, especially on creek or stream edge or a damp slope.

More: The cultivar 'Sinonome' is an excellent cut flower. This plant will gradually spread by rhizome if it's happy and happy is part shade without drying out. The foliage is attractive and lush prior to flowering, so it makes a good ground cover in the right conditions. This is a beautiful late-blooming woodlander for your shady, moist spots.

Nursery: Honey Petal Plants, grown from small landscape plugs supplied by North Creek Nursery

Image credits: close-up of flower and overall form from North Creek Nursery; illustration from Wikimedia Commons