Plants of the Week by Caelon Shugrue, Public Horticulture Intern

Tricyrtis ‘Hototogisu’ – toad lily

This week’s first plant is quite a work of art – the toad lily has delicate flowers that look similar to those of an orchid. With purple-tipped petals that surround speckled stigmas, this plant has a surprisingly tropical look for a hardy perennial. The genus name Tricyrtis comes from Greek, meaning “three humps.” If you examine the base of the petals (and the buds), you will notice they indeed have small humps! There are many theories about the common name “toad lily.” Some attribute it to the spotted flowers resembling a toad’s skin while others say the plant’s nectar attracts insects that toads like to eat. 

Native to the shaded woodlands of eastern Asia, this specimen is found in the Harry Wood Garden, where it enjoys moist, well-draining, shady conditions. While it is in the Liliaceae family, the toad lily grows via rhizomes not bulbs. It flowers in late summer to early fall, adding interest to gardens where other flowers may have finished blooming. Toad lily is resistant to deer, possibly due to the small hairs on the flowers, but rabbits find it a tasty snack. 

Anemone ‘Deep Curtain Call Rose’ – hybrid anemone

Another late summer bloomer is the Anemone ‘Deep Curtain Call Rose’. In late summer, the flowers emerge on stalks that stretch a few inches above the foliage, making for an interesting texture and form in a garden. This variety is more compact than other anemones, only reaching half the height of the 2-3 ft. tall straight species. The Curtain Call series includes this dwarf anemone variety as well as a ‘Curtain Call Pink’, which produces lighter pink flowers. As a hybrid Japanese anemone, ‘Deep Curtain Call Rose’ does well in partial shade and full sun (as long as it has consistent moisture). This plant spreads via rhizomes and may quickly multiply and get out of hand. 

In the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family, the genus name Anemone is a Greek word that means “daughter of the wind,” hence a common name for the genus is “windflower.” According to Greek mythology, the origin of the anemone flower is tied to the tragic story of Aphrodite losing her lover Adonis to a wild boar. Aphrodite’s tears mixed with Adonis’ blood, which gave rise to the anemone. You can find this dramatic anemone in the bur oak bed on the North of Kohlberg Hall and imagine this ancient Greek tale.

Symphoricarpos × doorenbosii ‘Kolmava’ – Magical® Avalanche Doorenboss coralberry

The last plant this week is Symphoricarpos × doorenbosii ‘Kolmava’, which is a hybrid Doorenboss coralberry. This plant is packed with white snow-like berries that will persist through winter, giving it the common name “snowberry” as well. The berries form at the ends of the branches, often weighing the branches down into a graceful, arching form. Found in the pollinator garden between Martin Hall and Cornell Library, this plant’s berries offer winter foraging opportunities for many birds.

The parent species of this plant are originally from America, but this hybrid and many others were hybridized in the Netherlands by Kolster BV, an expert in cultivating plants for cut flower products. The Netherlands in general is well known for their innovative farming techniques. Despite its size, this country is the largest exporter of live trees, plants, bulbs, and cut flowers. In fact, the US imports $370 million of horticulture products from the Netherlands each year! So, find this plant in the Pollinator Garden and admire it as a feat of Dutch horticultural ingenuity.