When the rest of the garden is starting to go dormant, jewel-like toad lilies are just starting to shine. Learn how to grow these exotic, yet deceptively easy to care for, fall-blooming perennials with biologist and garden enthusiast Lindsay Miller. The origins of the common name “toad lily” is under much speculation. It is likely a reference to this plant’s spotty petals, which resemble the patterns found on toads. Or perhaps it pertains to the three warty nectaries at the base of the flower (nectaries are special tissues that produce nectar). Toad lilies also appreciate plenty of moisture, much like toads and frogs, so maybe that’s it. In any case, the beauty of this plant far surpasses its rather unglamorous name. Toad lilies are little hidden jewels in the garden. Unassuming clumps of gently arching stems bearing simple green foliage fill the garden from spring through fall. Come autumn, as all the other woodland perennials seem to be closing up shop for the season, ornately speckled, orchid-like flowers burst open. Don’t be fooled by the delicate, exotic blooms of this plant. They’re hardy to USDA zones 4 or 5, depending on the variety, and require little coddling or maintenance. These flowers are relatively new to the North American gardening scene, having only been introduced in the 1990s. Their hardiness, exceptionally beautiful flowers, and ability to grow happily in mostly shade should elevate this plant’s status to “must have.” Read on and learn how to grow and care for this remarkable little plant. Overview What Is It? Toad lilies are a group of herbaceous perennials with exotic, jewel-like flowers that open late in the season. There are 16-20 species of Tricyrtis spp., however, just two are readily available for home gardeners. Even before the flowers appear in the fall, the foliage of this perennial provides lovely cover in the shade garden. Stems are upright or elegantly arching. Narrow leaves that resemble those of a small hosta or Solomon’s seal emerge on alternating sides of the stem. Leaves are usually solid medium green. However, some varieties like ‘Variegata’ or ‘Samurai’ have yellow or cream-colored striping. The star-shaped flowers resemble orchids, with six tepals (the botanical term for when a flower has similar inner petals and outer sepals) that unfurl in late summer or early fall. Most often, the tepals are white with purple or dark burgundy splotches, although there is some variation in the coloring depending on the species or cultivar. Toad lilies continue to flower vigorously until the first hard frost, a time when not much else is in bloom. As a fall-blooming perennial, toad lilies are a valuable source of food for pollinators. Bees and hummingbirds easily access the nectar found deep inside the tubular toad lily flowers. Native Area These exotic flowers are native to Asia, from the Philippines north to China, Taiwan, and Japan, and east towards the Himalayas. They primarily grow along shady streambanks, ravines, and woodland edges, where the tree canopy gives way to thickets and open grass areas. Planting Toad lilies thrive in shady beds and borders, where they receive a bit of protection from direct, all-day sun. The fine details and intricate patterns of the flowers are incredibly unique and best observed up close, so place toad lilies along walkways or towards the front of a border, where they can be easily admired. Toad lilies pair beautifully with other shade-loving perennials like ferns, lungwort, coralbells, astilbe, and Siberian bugloss. Most of these plants bloom in the spring through early summer, leaving a gap later in the season that this fall-flowering species fills beautifully. A backdrop of shade-tolerant evergreens, like rhododendrons or a yew, provides a lovely contrast to the pale blooms of the toad lily. You can grow it in containers, provided the pot has plenty of drainage. Note that toad lilies spread slowly via creeping rhizomes and will need regular repotting if it outgrows its container.

The ground cherry is a unique fruit that is easy to grow. The tasty fruit is eaten fresh or made into pie filling or jams. Physalis peruviana is a large shrubby perennial for temperate and subtropical zones. Kaleigh Brillon will take you through the steps to growing this useful shrub. They’re on the ground, but they’re not cherries! This unique fruit is in the nightshade family, offering a little sweetness and umami flavor. Some varieties are sweeter than others, and the ‘Aunt Molly’s’ cultivar is reminiscent of a pineapple, so you’ll definitely want to try out more than one ground cherry plant to see if there’s one you like. Unlike the tomatillo that ground cherries closely resemble and are related to, ground cherries grow close to the ground. Ripe ground cherries will fall out of their husks, so you’ll have to harvest them from the ground. You’ll probably want to heavily mulch the area if you don’t want your fruit on the dirt! Ground cherries are a unique addition to any garden that you should try out if you haven’t already. Let’s take a look at how to grow so you can start finding the varieties you like best. What is a Ground Cherry? The paper husks of ground cherries may make you think of Chinese lanterns, but don’t confuse them with Physalis alkekengi, the plant actually called Chinese lantern! The ground cherry, Physalis pruinosa, is related to the tomatillo. Its scientific name means “bladder,” which refers to the outer husk. Lanterns are certainly a better visual! Native Area Ground cherry is native to parts of the Americas, including Argentina, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Venezuela. It is a perennial that returns each year in USDA hardiness zones 8 and higher and can be grown as an annual in cooler climates. Characteristics Ground cherry is indeterminate and will continue growing until it dies. Unlike tomatoes and tomatillos, ground cherries stay close to the ground, so you’ll need some space to let them sprawl. Start the seeds indoors in late winter, transplant them outside in the spring, and you’ll get fruit in late summer and into fall. People grow ground cherry for the ripe fruit that falls to the ground. Every variety tastes a little different, but you can expect some sweetness from each one. Some varieties will seem savory, and others may taste like fruit with a hint of vanilla! You can use ground cherry fruits in pies, salsa, jams, and other dishes you might use tomatoes or fruit in. Varieties The Virginia ground cherry is native to the northeastern United States and is one of the few varieties that is a perennial down to zone 6. It’s slightly sweet, making it a decent option for jams and pies. ‘Aunt Molly’s’ is another sweet variety that tastes a bit like pineapple. The husks are much rounder than other varieties. Physalis peruviana is known by several nicknames, like goldenberry, poha berry, Inca berry, and Peruvian ground cherry. It’s not as sweet as the ‘Aunt Molly’s’ variety, and it has a taller growth habit, reaching up to four feet. The husk comes to a point at the end. Often called ‘Goldie’, Physalis pubescens has smaller fruit than other varieties, but it’s quite sweet and pairs well with chocolate. Physalis grisea is often nicknamed the strawberry tomato or the grey ground cherry. It’s not as common as other varieties, but it’s fun to grow because the tiny little hairs make it look grey. Planting Start ground cherry seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost. They need a long growing season, so it’s good to get a head start. Set the seeds an eighth of an inch deep and lightly cover them. The soil should be 70-90°F (21-32°C) and should stay moist to help the seeds germinate. The germination process should take one to three weeks. You can keep your seedlings in a sunny window or use a grow light to make sure they get at least eight hours of light each day. Transplant seedlings outside after all danger of frost has passed. If you want to move them to a container, choose something with a drainage hole so excess water can drain out. For best results, the container should be at least eight inches deep and twelve inches wide. If you to grow your ground cherries outside, space them one and a half to two feet apart so they can have plenty of room to grow. Give them a thick layer of mulch to retain soil moisture, but make sure the soil is well-draining.

Wondering what all the fuss is about heirloom tomatoes? There’s something special about their flavor, distinct shapes, and colors, but there’s also a history that doesn’t compare to hybrids on the market. In this article, organic farmer Jenna Rich shares why heirloom tomatoes have sentimental value to families across the globe and how best to plant, grow, and care for them. I’ll be the first to tell you how much I love hybrid tomatoes, created in labs to help growers produce these delicious fruits in an ever-changing climate, fight disease, and ward off pests. However, I’m also a sucker for the old-timey look and flavor of heirloom tomatoes. Nothing compares to these beauties on a Caprese salad with basil fresh from the garden and local mozzarella cheese. But what makes them so different, and why do some growers consider them special and valuable? This article will explore all of that. Let’s discuss how to plant, grow, and care for heirloom tomatoes. What is a Heirloom Tomato? Experts have defined heirloom tomato varieties by production, age, and tradition. They are not hybrids and are open-pollinated, meaning you can plant a seed from the mother plant, resulting in a clone. Experts have differing opinions on how old a seed must be before receiving heirloom classification, ranging from 25 years to pre-WWII. Heirloom seeds were passed down family lines for over a hundred years. Individuals have reported family members taking heirloom tomato seeds with them as they fled their countries years ago, passing down seeds each generation. Heirloom tomatoes offer unique marbling, both externally and internally. Shapes, colors, and sizes differ across varieties and are typically inconsistent throughout the growing season or year to year. They may look a little different each time they’re grown and have a shorter shelf-life, which is why they’re not usually found in grocery stores. They are typically sweeter and contain fewer seeds than hybrids. What’s So Special About Heirloom Tomatoes? While some of us have only ever experienced classic, red, round tomatoes from the grocery store, past generations experienced bold flavors, exciting colors and textures, and unique family stories from their garden crops. We adore heirloom tomatoes for their unique flavors, funky shapes, and, most importantly, the extraordinary familial stories you can’t find at the grocery store—the ‘Amish Paste’ plum tomato dates back to the 1870s, originating from Wisconsinite Amish farmers. And ‘Mexico Midget,’ whose seeds we believe to be collected from wild tomato plants in Mexico by a truck driver headed to California. Each heirloom tomato seed has an equally fun and exciting story attached to it. How to Grow Let’s discuss the basics and a few differences to help you produce the best heirlooms this season. Planting Plant your tomatoes out after the risk of frost has passed or into a protected space with optional covering if needed. Spacing will depend on the variety, growing zone, and setup.