Imperial Banner Toadlily. "Toadlily" seems to be such an understated common name for something as elegant as this Tricyrtis. This incredible cultivar of Toadlily is a mutation of Tricyrtis 'Empress' and was introduced by Terra Nova Nurseries of Oregon. 'Empress' is thought to be a hybrid between T. hirta and T. formosana. I first saw 'Imperial Banner' in the shade house at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC. It was in late June and it was covered in purple spotted orchid-like flowers, two months earlier than one would expect. But what surprised me most was the glossy, spot-free foliage. Here in the Deep South, the leaves of Tricyrtis are rather shop-worn looking when they come into flower in late summer, but here its leaves were glossy and spot free. It matures into a 2' x 2' clump and best grown in filtered sun sun with uniform moisture. One may occasionally get all green reversions, and these need to be dug out in planted in a separate location. On its own, these reversions are quite a showy addition to your garden. We offer these separately. The third picture is courtesy of Mike Chelednik.
Zones 6-9
