Tricyrtis Hirta

• Exotic, star shaped lily-like flowers create an exciting display, just when other perennials begin to fade. Long lived and undemanding shade plants, they can also be used as cutflowers.
  From the World Botanics range.
  The complex flowers of this beautiful fall-blooming ornamental add interest to shaded gardens.
  Japanese toadlily is an herbaceous woodland perennial that originates from Japan. It produces clumps of upright to arching stems lined with lightly hairy green leaves. In late summer to fall, intricate orchid-like flowers appear along the stems at the base of the leaves. The blooms are commonly white with maroon-purple spots and have prominent three parted stigmas that rise from the center of each.
  This underused ornamental needs partial to full shade and thrives in evenly moist, organic-rich loam. Avoid alkaline and very wet soils. In cold regions a leaf mulch should be placed over the roots during winter; spring sprouting is late to occur. Plant it the dappled shade of woodland settings along with other perennials for shade, such as hosta, foamflower, maidenhair fern and lungwort. It is most impressive when planted in large sweeping masses.
  Information source: http://learn2grow.com/plants/tricyrtis-hirta/
  
  Genus - Tricyrtis
  Species - Hirta
  Common name - Japanese Toad Lily
  Pre-Treatment - Required
  Hardiness zones - 4 - 9
  Height - 0,45 - 0,75 m
  Spread - 0,50 - 0,60 m
  Plant type - Perennial flower
  Exposure - Partial Shade, Full Shade
  Growth rate - Medium
  Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
  Soil type - Clay, loam, well drained
  Water requirements - Average
  Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Groundcover, Mixed Border
  Bloom season - August - October
  Leaf / Flower color - Green / White, Purple, Burgundy
  
  GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
  Sow from January to March indoors in pots or trays of seed compost.
  Sow thinly, cover with a very fine layer of compost.
  Cover with glas or clear plastic.
  Keep at +20C.
  Germination time - 28-42 days.
  If germination has not started, transfer to refrigerator for 2 weeks before returning to the warmth to trigger germination process.
• Best sown indoors at 55-65° with NO cover as light aids in germination
• Seed germination will be erratic and will occur over 30-50 days
• It is not recommended to sow seeds outdoors

How to Grow Tricyrtis:
Transplanting: Transplant when there are at least two sets of true leaves

Spacing: Space 1 foot apart in full to part shade

Soil: Site in acidic, rich, moist, woodland-type, well-drained soil

Additional Care: Divide the rhizomatous plants in the early spring when they are still dormant. Feed in the spring with a balanced fertilizer. Seedlings grow very slowly

Appearance and Use:

The following are perennials for shady borders and naturalized situations. The 11/4 inch, smooth-textured, funnel-shaped flowers of both species appear in late summer through fall; the flowers of T. formosana last a few weeks longer but may be slightly smaller. Tricyrtis formosana grows 1-2 feet tall by 2 feet wide, has glossy, dark green leaves, and its flowers are white to pinkish with prominent crimson spots and a yellow eye. Hardy from Zones 4-9. Tricyrtis hirta grows larger, from 2-3 feet tall by 2 feet wide, has hairy, pale green leaves, and its flowers are white or lavender with prominent purple spots and are without a center eye

Grow 'Blue Wonder' in moist, humus-rich, acidic soil in partial to full shade. Although this plant spreads, it is not invasive. In zones that do not receive snowfall in winter, add a leafy mulch atop the plants to protect them from cold. It is slow to emerge in spring. Use it as a companion plant for ferns and hostas in a mixed border or woodland groundcover display. Divide and transplant clumps in early spring before growth begins.