Tricyrtis lasiocarpa
(aka: Tricyrtis formosana ‘Amethystina’) Tricyrtis lasiocarpa is one of the most spectacular toad lilies for warmer climates. In the wilds of Taiwan, we saw this growing atop rock cliffs in nearly full sun, reinforcing our experience that this is not a deep shade lover. Tricyrtis lasiocarpa makes a tight clump of 3′ tall, upright, ladder-like stems clothed with green- and purple-speckled glossy foliage. From midsummer until early fall, the clump is topped with multiple-branched, large, terminal sprays of 1″ white, orchid-like flowers with tips of amethyst and blue. This toad lily was originally introduced by John Elsley of Wayside Gardens under the incorrect name Tricyrtis formosana ‘Amethystina’ (an extinct clone of the running species).
