Hi Willie: It's been a very long time, and I'm glad to see you here. I hope you are doing very well. I winter sowed some toadlily seeds this year. Three different kinds and I can send you the remains of the packets if you'd like. Just let me know, girlgroupgirl

Hey Fuss, can I come and get some? I'm in EAV (better known as the EA Flower Lady in the neighborhood...maybe we know each other??) also interested in your ditchies, ruellia.. I can bring you a bag of Mr. Natural which is worm poop and permatil. Thanks, GGG

You have bareroot plants? They are in full bloom here right now. "Toad lilies grow from new growth points that develop along the roots and will spread underground to form a colony with each new growth point forming a stem. These growth tips should be planted about 2 to 3" below the soil and then should be mulched 1 to 2" after planting." They require a moist soil that drains well (that means a lot of organic content/compost). This is a cool summer area - if allowed to dry out or planted where exposed to wind, even here the foliage will look bad enough by bloom time the effect of the flowers is completely lost. I hand water mine a few times during summer in addition to the regular drip irrigation they get along with the rest of that bed.

Which species/cultivar did you receive? Tricyrtis hirta and it's many cultivars are the most common ones in cultivation and one of the most hardy. They prefer a humus-rich, fertile, well-drained, but moisture-retentive, acid or neutral, light sandy loam in partial shade. Prefers the dappled shade of a woodland garden, but tolerates full sun if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season, flowering earlier in such a location. Plants also require a sunnier location in the northern parts of the country. This species is hardy to about Zones 5-6, but if prolonged cold weather is not accompanied by snow cover, the plants would appreciate a good mulch of organic matter. Plants are very susceptible to attacks by slugs, their only garden nemesis. Roots should be planted, so that the top of the crown is about level with or up to one-inch below soil surface. They are self-fertile and seed all about the area. In addition, they rapidly develop new flowering stems from root expansion. A warm spell, near the end of winter, will trigger new foliage growth, which must be protected from subsequent freezing, sub-freezing temperatures or the plant could be lost. Good luck!