We have this perennial in a shaded area of the backyard and , historically, it doesn't bloom until the middle of October. This year, however, the blooms have opened up over the past week it seems that we may have a toad lily enthusiast on the premises. I've checked the area on three separate occasions today and "Plump", the hummer that just can't get enough nectar and bugs, was visiting the blooms every time. I don't know if it's necatr, insects or water that has pooled in the blooms after the rain, but there's something in there that he likes.








Bud
Southwest Ohio
USDA Plant Zone 6a

Camera: Pentax K20D
Lens: Pentax DA*300 f/4, Sigma 180 f/3.5 Macro
There's 1 or 2 more hummingbird / butterfly pics located here...
http://www.pbase.com/budohio

Lovely pictures, Bud.
This is a very timely post. I just saw these flowers today while walking our dog, and I was wondering what they were.

Priya
Zone 7, Maryland

Whatever he's interested in, it seems to be on the outside of the flower. I also have Toad Lilies in bloom right now, and I wondered to myself if they could be a hummingbird flower. I had assumed not, but maybe I'll have to reconsider that assumption.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen a hummingbird since September 28th, which is pretty much the same time the last one left in 2008. I keep hoping to see a few stragglers, but all is quiet and empty feeling in southwestern PA. I think that here in western PA, in the foothills of the Appalachians, they arrive later in the spring, and clear out sooner in the fall than they do directly to my west and maybe also along the eastern coast.

My Toad Lilies are looking beautiful, and yours even more so with your little guest! As always, lovely photos.

Lovely, Bud!

I did a little more research on this plant and found an interesting article from a Canadian internet news site...

"The name Tricyrtis is Greek for three swellings and refers to the three swollen, nectar-bearing cavities at the base of the sepals.

Complete artcle here - http://www.sootoday.com/content/columns/print.asp?c=10626


This makes sense given that the hummer appears to be feeding from the base of the bloom. I wonder if it would bloom sooner in a sunnier location?

Priya, Kristin, Patricia - Thanks...

It is a very unique bloom AND very low-maintenance AND... ours is planted in a heavily shaded area. "Nectar-bearing cavities at the base of the sepals" may earn it a few other shady/semi-shady locations next year



Bud
Southwest Ohio
USDA Plant Zone 6a

Camera: Pentax K20D
Lens: Pentax DA*300 f/4, Sigma 180 f/3.5 Macro
There's 1 or 2 more hummingbird / butterfly pics located here...
http://www.pbase.com/budohio

Bud,

I added this to my garden last spring and the tuber seem to have tripled this year! Interesting addition to any garden, bonus that the hummers use them. I didn't know that,

Pam NJ 6B

Gorgeous pictures, Bud.

There's a plant I've never tried - and probably should. Can it take heavy soil? Do deer/rabbits/beasties eat it?

Lisa
Central NJ/ z6b
Heat zone 5/6

Our soil is clay based, and my Toad Lilies do fine. I did amend it with lots of leaf humus and peat. The deer so far have not touched them, and they've been simply awful this year, devastating my Silenes, lilies, Impatiens, and Fuchsias with their relentless chomping. So, since they haven't been touched, I'd venture to say that they are deer resistant.

Thanks for the info, Bud. I really think they prefer shade and moisture. Putting them in full sun might hurt them, so not sure that's a good way to encourage earlier blooms. Mine are with my Mimulus where they get tons of moisture and a few hours of morning sun only.

I have read that Rabbits will munch on them but didn't see anything aobut deer but I have seen them eat daylilies so they may snack on Toad Lilies too if they are hungry enough. It is really a beautiful flower!



Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Pam I have done Toad Lily for several years, pretty easy to keep in NJ . They are shade lovers native to China i believe. I have never seen a hummer on them but they are kinda tucked out of the way on my property.

steve

Zone 6b New Jersey

visit my hummer photos athttp://www.flickr.com/photos/38829896@N00/