Toad lily (Tricyrtis 'White Towers')

Overview

Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’, a highly desirable cultivar of the Toad lily, stands out in the late-summer garden when many other perennials have finished blooming. Its unique, pure white, lily-like flowers provide intricate visual interest, justifying its placement where it can be closely observed. This herbaceous perennial offers reliable structure and color in deep shade environments.

As a stoloniferous plant, Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’ will slowly colonize an area, creating a dense, attractive patch over time without being invasive. It requires consistently moist conditions, mirroring its preference for woodland settings. The beauty of the Toad lily genus lies in its late-season flowering coupled with foliage that maintains good texture throughout the summer.

Gardeners prize this specific cultivar, Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’, for its compact nature and slightly earlier bloom window, typically July through August. It provides excellent vertical accents, reaching up to 2.5 feet tall, making it a versatile addition to shaded borders and woodland compositions.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Liliaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-2.5 ft
  • Spread: 1-2 ft
• Bloom Time: July to August
• Bloom Description: White
• Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
• Water Needs: Medium to wet
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

The best time for planting Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’ is the spring, giving the plant the entire growing season to establish its root system before winter dormancy. Site these Toad lilies where they receive part shade to full shade, mimicking their natural Asian woodland habitat. They thrive in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils, but truly flourish in organically rich, humusy, and slightly acidic soil conditions. Ensuring excellent drainage is crucial, even if the soil needs to remain moist.

Consistent moisture is mandatory for this plant; do not allow the soil around your Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’ to dry out completely. While they prefer consistent water, ensure the planting site does not become waterlogged, as root health depends on drainage. Fertilization is rarely needed if the soil is organically amended annually; otherwise, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can support robust growth.

Maintenance for the Toad lily is generally low. Pruning involves simply cutting back the old foliage in early spring before new growth emerges. Be aware that this is a stoloniferous plant, meaning it spreads via underground runners, gently filling in the space over years without becoming aggressive. Applying a light layer of winter mulch helps protect the roots in colder zones within its range.

Landscape Uses

Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’ is perfectly suited for environments where other flowering plants struggle, such as mature woodland gardens or deeply shaded borders. Because the small, intricate white flowers of the Toad lily—characteristic of the genus—can easily be lost from a distance, site them in areas where you frequently walk or sit, such as along pathways or near patios, allowing close examination.

This cultivar excels in shade gardens, providing structure and late-season bloom when color palettes often fade. Consider pairing Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’ with bold-leaved shade lovers like Hostas or ferns, whose broad foliage contrasts beautifully with the Toad lily’s medium green, ovate leaves. They also work well planted in naturalized areas where they can slowly spread and form soft drifts.

Beyond garden beds, the white blooms of the Toad lily make excellent material for shade-appropriate bouquets. Snipping stems for indoor display allows you to fully appreciate the unique markings and structure of the six tepals on each small, upward-facing flower.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Tricyrtis, commonly called toad lilies, is a genus of about 16 species of herbaceous perennials from the Eastern Himalayas to the Philippines. They are valued garden plants in large part because of their unique flowers, ability to flower in shade and late summer to fall bloom time. Genus name comes from the Greek words tri- meaning three and kyrtos meaning humped as the bases of the three outer petals are swollen and sacklike. ‘White Towers’ is a compact, clump-forming cultivar that typically grows 16-30” tall on upright-arching stems and features small, pure white, lily-like flowers (1 inch long). Flowers bloom earlier (July-August in St. Louis) than most other toad lilies.

Tolerances

No specific tolerances were listed for this cultivar, but based on cultural needs, it tolerates heavy shade well by preferring it.

Potential Problems

Fortunately, the Toad lily generally avoids serious insect or disease problems in optimal conditions. The most common visitors gardeners report dealing with are slugs and snails, which can occasionally chew on the foliage, particularly when the plant is young or conditions are damp. To manage these pests, employ preventative measures such as scattering slug bait pellets around the base of the plants or using beer traps to reduce populations actively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’ suitable for?

Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’ is hardy and reliably perennial in USDA Zones 4 through 9.

How large does Toad lily grow?

This compact cultivar typically reaches a height between 1 and 2.5 feet tall, with a spread ranging from 1 to 2 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’ need?

This Toad lily requires protection from hot afternoon sun and performs best in locations receiving part shade to full shade throughout the day.

When does Toad lily bloom?

Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’ offers its unique bloom time during the mid-to-late summer, specifically from July through August, producing white flowers.

Conclusion

Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’ is an indispensable choice for adding structure and extraordinary bloom power to shaded garden areas well into late summer. Its low maintenance requirements and ability to thrive in moist, dark corners make the Toad lily a consistently rewarding perennial. Before planting, confirm your soil moisture levels and zone hardiness to ensure this unique white-flowering plant becomes a celebrated feature in your landscape.

Companion Planting

When selecting companions for Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’, focus on plants that share a need for consistent moisture and significant shade cover. Consider pairing these Toad lilies with Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) for its graceful, arching habit and bright green or gold color, creating a soft textural contrast against the upright stems of the Tricyrtis.

Another excellent selection would be Astilbes, which offer bold plumes of color earlier in the season and appreciate the same rich, moist soil conditions. Their feathery texture blends well with the bold, glossy leaves of the Toad lily. For year-round interest in deep shade, use drifts of groundcovers like Wild Ginger (Asarum europaeum) beneath the canopy provided by the Tricyrtis ‘White Towers’, ensuring no bare patches remain later in the season.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Early Spring: As soon as new growth appears, cut back any lingering dead foliage from the previous year. Top-dress the soil surface with several inches of compost or well-rotted leaf mold to replenish organic matter and moisture retention capabilities.

Summer Growing Season: Focus primarily on watering throughout July and August, especially during dry spells, to maintain the medium to wet soil consistency required by this genus. Avoid overhead watering if possible to minimize the risk of mildew, although Tricyrtis is generally resistant.

Late Fall/Early Winter: After the foliage has died back naturally following the first hard frost, apply a light layer of mulch around the base of the plant, especially in the northern limits of its hardiness range (Zones 4-6). This light winter preparation protects the shallow roots from freeze-thaw cycles.