Lily of the valley also known as Convallaria
is a hardy perennial that reaches about twenty centimeter in height. Actually the
lily of the valley flowers are small, white or pink and bell-like; the plant
bloom at the end of spring.
Lily of the valley makes good plants
to provide ground coverage in shady areas of the garden. Lily of the valley
seeds are very easy to grow. Continue reading to learn how to grow lily of the
valley seeds.
Lily of the Valley Plant Info
The common names: The common names are
Lily Of The Valley, Mary’s Tears, Our Lady’s Tears, May Lily, Muguet.
Plant life cycle: The plant is hardy
perennial.
The family: The plants belong to Asparagaceae.
Plant height: six to eight inches
Native area: The plant is native to Europe,
Asia.
USDA hardiness zones: USDA hardiness
zones two to nine.
The flowers: Bloom late spring
through to early summer
Sowing and Planting
How to plant lily of the valley roots:
Rhizome, two to three inches (five to eight centimeter). End of winter or early
in the spring. Spacing about four to six inches.
Lily of the valley seeds: Cover, end
of winter or early in the spring.
The germination time: 2 months to 1
year, lily of the valley seeds should first be sown into flats, cover with
layers of a compost and then gravel. The next thing to do is to sink the flat
into the ground in an area that offers shade. Once the seedlings emerge,
transplant them to pots. However, growing lily of the valley in pots is
possible. Upon further growth the plant can be transferred to a nursery bed. You
can allow them to grow there for about two years, and then transfer to the
garden at the start of spring or in autumn.
Plant requirements: Grow lily of the
valley seeds in partial shade for best results; lily of the valley seeds can be
grown in full shade. Ensure good drainage. A moist, fertile soil with added
organic material is very important. Make sure there is regular and deep
watering during dry periods. You can add a top dressing of two inches leaf mold
in the autumn. Feed the plant regularly with liquid seaweed whilst growing; try
and avoid fertilizer on the leaves. The lily of the valley plants should be
divided every 5 years to maintain vigour. Lily of the valley problems are
minimal.
Growing Lily of the Valley and other
Convallaria species
If you are actually planning to grow
Convallaria outdoors from seed then it should be sown out at the end of winter.
The lily of the valley seeds should
be sown in flats, covered in compost, and has a layer of glass for protection.
If you are growing Lilies of the
valley from rhizomes then they should be buried at a depth of about five to
eight centimeter.
The germination can take from 2
months up to 1 year. Once the plant seedlings have appeared they should be
transplanted into individual pots.
Once the Convallaria plant appears to
be growing strong they should be moved to a dedicated nursery bed for about 2 years.
After this time the plant can be moved to its final location.
This should be a partially shaded
part of the garden (Lily of the Valley will actually grow in full shade, but
will not produce abundant flowers) with good drainage.
How to Care for Lily of the Valley
The Lily of the valley plants should
be spaced about twelve centimeters apart into an organic soil that is both
moist and rich.
Once the plant is established further
plants can be had by division in the autumn.
The lily of the valley plants require
a lot of watering and it should be fertilized at the beginning of spring (don’t
splash fertilizer onto the leaves). In the autumn a top dressing with leaf mold
will help to protect the lily of the valley plant.
The plant should be divided every
five years to maintain vigorous growth. Lily of the valley problems are
minimal.
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