Three toad lilies (Tricyrtis, of unknown variety, as is so often the case in these parts), planted in ground that proved to be too damp, were recently transplanted to drier and sunnier spots. One was single stemmed and quite tall, the second clearly a dwarf, with the third in between. I presume that I will see improved growth and first blooms next year, but that is, if these recover from being chewed to the ground the first night by deer. In fact, I cannot tell with certainty that deer were the culprits since I’ve recently witnessed damage that could not be done by a beast so large, so perhaps rabbits, that have rarely been a nuisance. A repellent is sprayed that should discourage creatures of any size, but the three tiny toad lilies were in an area that deer steer clear of, so they had not been treated.

The roots were good on the three, so I expect these will survive, despite the loss of all foliage. Maybe a leaf or two will pop out before frost, but there’s no way I’ll see a bloom or enough that will help identify any of the three.

The remainder of the garden’s toad lilies are growing with vigor, though several bordering the driveway have been sunburned more than I prefer. They’re just starting to flower, but the leaves are pretty shabby. In shade, toad lilies grow a bit too loose, so the preferred positioning is sunlight the first half of the day and afternoon shade. And if you haven’t grown toad lilies, be warned, they grow much taller than you expect. Not the first year, but after a few many will grow three feet tall or so, and about as wide.

In an area with less sun I once cut leggy growth back by a third in midsummer, but that area’s now so overgrown that the tall growth barely rises above ferns that volunteered as neighbors. Part shade or sun doesn’t seem to make much difference in the number of blooms, but the stems are sturdier with more sun.

As for collecting every available variety, I started down that path, but stopped, even though prices through specialty mail order growers are often quite reasonable (for toad lilies, that is). The more I planted, the more I was convinced that the differences between one and the next were not much after the first eight or ten varieties. Toad lilies are one of the treasures of this garden, but after a dozen or so I didn’t find much purpose in going after more.