Tricyrtis formosana 'Purple Beauty'

Purple Beauty toad lily

Like some sort of bizarre (but decidely appetizing) cross between blueberry ice cream and orchids, this short toad lily produces typical, delicate toad lily blossoms in an atypical color.

The lavender-blue flowers are heavily speckled with flecks of violet on sturdy stems from September through frost. Because it's a dwarf and doesn't grow taller than 18", it's perfect in front of a woodland border.

It happily spreads into colonies in any moist, partially-shaded site. I love the bluish effect that it gives -- it's perfect against larger yellow-foliaged plants like Humulus lupulus 'Aureus' or paired with light-colored dwarf hosta like 'Pandora's Box'.

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