How to Care for Lily of the Valley
- Side-dress with compost when new growth appears in the spring.
- Keep the soil evenly moist.
- Don’t let plants dry out.
- After blooming don’t remove the foliage.
- The plants will have orange inedible berries in the fall and the leaves turn golden.
Do lily of the valley need to be cut back?
Cut off lily of the valley’s flower stalks with a pair of pruning shears once the individual blooms begin to dry, turn yellow or brown and drop their petals. Position each cut 1/4 inch above the point where the flower stalk joins the main plant. Remove dead, dry, brown or yellowing leaves as soon as possible.
Should lily of the valley be cut down in the fall?
October is the best month to start preparing your lily of the valley plants for winter. Cut back any diseased or dead foliage. If there are small stands on the plant, cut all the top foliage off. You can cut these down to the ground level to keep your garden looking good during the winter months.
Do you deadhead lily of the valley?
Lily of the valley may be the easiest plant you’ll ever grow. It requires zero maintenance! After the flowers finish blooming, they will quickly fade away. No need to deadhead.
Do lilies of the valley grow back?
This moisture-loving plant forms a spreading mass with red seed pods remaining after flowering, which makes lily of the valley attractive after blooming and very carefree. Growing lily of the valley plants (Convallaria majalis) is easy, as they will remain perennial in USDA Zones 2-9.
What do you feed a lily of the valley?
CARE OF LILY OF THE VALLEY
They require little or no feeding. In their natural surroundings they do fine from the fallen leaves of overhanging trees and shrubs. Certainly, do not feed with nitrogen rich fertilisers, this will only encourage leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
Can I mulch over lily of the valley?
Mulch over the top of the lily of the valley plants with a 1-inch thick blanket of compost or well aged manure, or a combination of the two. Lily of the valley loves rich humus and the mulch in combination with the foliage will boost the nutrient value of the soil over the winter.
Why are my lilies of the valley turning brown?
Improper Watering
Giving your lily of the valley too much or too little water can cause browning of the foliage and other problems. Dry soil can cause your plant’s foliage to wilt, turn yellow to brown and drop prematurely. Overwatering can kill the roots, which leads to discoloration and dying of the foliage.
Does lily of the valley need fertilizer?
Lily of the valley typically doesn’t need any fertilizer unless you have poor soil. If your soil lacks nutrients, you can add a slow-release granular fertilizer in the spring.
Can you transplant lily of the valley?
Dividing/Transplanting: Lily-of-the-Valley is easily divided when dormant in spring or fall. Simply dig up the small rhizomes (called pips), gently separate, and replant 4in apart; plants will fill in quite quickly.
Should I plant lily of the valley?
When to Plant
Lily of the Valley should be planted by late fall as cool winter temperatures are needed for a proper dormancy period. The nodding, bell-shaped, white blossoms are expected to arrive early to mid-spring, but it can take some time to establish and may not flower the first year.
Can you grow lily of the valley in pots?
It is easy to grow Lily of the Valley in pots. [7] Choose a deep container, because the plant has long roots that like to spread. You can trim the roots a few centimetres, but don’t go too far. Plant your rhizome in some high-quality potting soil 3 to 6 cm apart and cover the buds with soil.
What month do lily of the valley bloom?
Lily of the valley typically flowers in early to mid spring for three or four weeks – which is significantly longer than most other spring perennials. In colder climates their bloom time may start later and extend into early summer.
Do butterflies like lily of the valley?
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) Benefits to Wildlife: Attracts butterflies. Highly poisonous to humans and animals.
Is it OK to touch lily of the valley?
Is it OK to touch lily of the valley? All parts of the lily of the valley plant are poisonous if consumed, but it is not harmful when touched.
Do bees like lily of the valley?
Native to North America, lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. The low-maintenance, woodland plant is known for its sweetly fragrant, white flowers. The spring flowers attract bees and butterflies.
What Colour is lily of the valley?
Flowers: white in colour and bell-shaped. They grow in a one-sided spike which droops to one side. Fruits/seeds: bright red berries, which are poisonous.
What is so special about lily of the valley?
The lily of the valley is a flower that is most often viewed as a symbol of rebirth and humility. It can be used to symbolize chastity, purity, sweetness, and motherhood, too. Lily of the valley flowers are thought to bring luck in love but can also symbolize a return of happiness.
Do lily of the valley bloom every year?
Like other perennial bloomers, lily of the valley flowers in spring and summer and goes dormant with no blooms in fall and winter.
Where is the best place to plant lily of the valley?
Lily of the valley thrives in a moist, shaded spot, and gradually spreads to form dense clumps of lush, green foliage. Newly planted lily of the valley struggles to grow in cold, wet conditions, so it pays to plant the crowns into pots during March, then grow them on indoors before planting out.
What is the best time to split lily of the valley?
The optimum time for lily of the valley division is when the plant is dormant in spring or fall. Separating lily of the valleys after flowering ensures the plant’s energy is available for creation of roots and leaves. Divide lily of the valley four to six weeks before the first average hard freeze date in your area.
When should lily of the valley be transplanted?
When to Transplant Lily of the Valley
Rapacious spreaders, lily of the valley should be divided every 3-5 years for best the healthiest plantings. Ideally, you would be moving lily of the valley in the fall when the plant is dormant. If that isn’t going to happen within your schedule, don’t worry too much.
How do lily of the valley propagate?
Plant Propagation:
Lily of the Valley can be propagated from seed or their rhizomes. Seeds can take months to germinate. So, most people propagate them using the rhizomes. Dig up rhizomes of established plants in the Fall, and separate into clumps for re-planting.
How poisonous is lily of the valley?
Lily of the valley can be fatal if ingested, especially to children. The method of action is through cardiac glycosides, which create an effect much like exposure to that of Digitalis, found in foxglove. The plant is classified as a “1” on the poison scale, which means it has major toxicity that can lead to death.
