I get a lot of questions from customers asking about unique and interesting blooms. A lot of gardeners love to have centerpiece flowers that really draw the eye and make you want to lean in for a better look. My first responses are usually flowering vines, particularly Passion Vine and various Clematis varieties.
Of course, despite my great love for them, climbers are not always the right solution. Another of my favorite blooms that is both really unique and that you don't see in a lot of gardens is Tricertys, common name Toad Lily. The blooms of the Toad Lily are absolutely fascinating, and really invite you to stop, come closer, and give them a nice long inspection. They do well in full and part shade, which brings out the texture and form of the flowers and lending a certain air of mystery to the rich colors. We chose the Tricertys 'Raspberry Mousse' for inclusion in our catalog because its very nearly solid coloring (unusual among Toad Lilies) really brings out the best qualities of the almost alien form of these small blooms. The flowers are small; just about an inch across, but they bloom all along the stems, so the size only serves to make them all the more interesting. If you're looking for a truly unique flower to star in your shady garden, you really can't do any better than this Toad Lily.
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