Golden Acre Home & Garden Centre's Plant Library

Other Names:  Toadlily, Arctic Orchid

Description:

The multi colored flowers of this exceptional variety are suspended above the leaves in profusion on slender stems; fall flowering begins in ernest and buds are produced until the first frost; choose a spot where they can be seen close up

Ornamental Features

Taipei Silk Toad Lily has white orchid-like flowers with purple overtones, gold throats and blue tips at the ends of the stems from early to mid fall, which emerge from distinctive burgundy flower buds, and which are interesting on close inspection. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its heart-shaped leaves remain green in colour throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Taipei Silk Toad Lily is an open herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spreading

Taipei Silk Toad Lily is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Taipei Silk Toad Lily will grow to be about 20 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.