Friday, November 03, 2006
The Last Toad
The last toad lily to bloom in our garden is a species from China; Tricyrtis macrantha ssp. macranthopsis, with shiny, green leaves, and flowers that are most unusual, even for a toad lily. The blooms are thick, waxy yellow, with maroon red spots; somewhat reminiscent of a foxglove. Many of the toad lilies here flirt with frost, but this species really pushes it; I don't like to cover or coddle plants, but if I want to see this one bloom, I often have no choice. Usually a bushel basket on especially cold nights will suffice, but this year, a snow cone was needed. It is to warm up smartly next week; after that this toady is on its own. It is quite recumbant, so I have mine trailed across a grey rock; I recently saw a picture from a botanical garden, where they had this plant sited on the edge of a sharply raised bed, falling over a large rock, and it was a smashing presentation... I may have to do some more garden construction work! 
// posted by IBOY @ 6:01 AM 
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Honestly, I can't imagine taking care of all those plants! You have documented a different plant every day I have read this blog. To imagine you taking care of all those little gingers and toad lillies and the trees and putting snow cones over plants-I could never keep up!
I admire your energy in the garden and your beautiful woodland setting.
I admire your energy in the garden and your beautiful woodland setting.
Sissy... fortunately most of the plants take care of themselves. That is one of the nice things about shady gardens; with plenty of mulch, weeds and such aren't such a big problem.
Don
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Don
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