on 9/19/2008
Lily of the Valley put out less blooms each year as they crowd. Try separating them and plant them BARELY beneath the level of the soil. Most of the people I see who can't get them to bloom have planted them too deep. If you think they ARE NOT deep enough, they probably are! I had to force myself not to plant them deeper than just under the surface of the soil. I broke up the soil, wet the dirt, layed them out, then hand sprinkled soil on top of them, put a little straw on them, then wet it down some. Also, this article says to plant in full sun. Lily of the Valley are shade lovers. I live close to the Ohio border, so my growing conditions are about the same as yours MrsBuckeye. (you'd be surprised how many people don't know what a buckeye is, lol) Mrs. Quip
on 11/22/2005
Convallaria majalis is one of the very few flowers that are happiest in partial to full shade. They will not grow well in full sun.
Also, top dress with compost/fertilizer in Autumn, not Spring. Can be planted in early Spring, better to do so in Autumn.
Tends to be highly invasive (as is creeping, a shallow root barrier generally contains them) and is poisonous (careful with young children - their enticing scent can make it very tempting to taste).
Slightly acid, moist soil w/ high organic content (add lots of leaf mold to top few inches of soil before planting). Plant so that pips (large buds on the end of the rhizomes) are an inch below the surface.
For most accurate info & instructions, always check with one of the many horticultural websites maintained by various universities.
Comments
MrsQuip said
on 9/19/2008 Lily of the Valley put out less blooms each year as they crowd. Try separating them and plant them BARELY beneath the level of the soil. Most of the people I see who can't get them to bloom have planted them too deep. If you think they ARE NOT deep enough, they probably are! I had to force myself not to plant them deeper than just under the surface of the soil. I broke up the soil, wet the dirt, layed them out, then hand sprinkled soil on top of them, put a little straw on them, then wet it down some. Also, this article says to plant in full sun. Lily of the Valley are shade lovers. I live close to the Ohio border, so my growing conditions are about the same as yours MrsBuckeye. (you'd be surprised how many people don't know what a buckeye is, lol) Mrs. Quip
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Convallaria majalis is one of the very few flowers that are happiest in partial to full shade. They will not grow well in full sun.
Also, top dress with compost/fertilizer in Autumn, not Spring. Can be planted in early Spring, better to do so in Autumn.
Tends to be highly invasive (as is creeping, a shallow root barrier generally contains them) and is poisonous (careful with young children - their enticing scent can make it very tempting to taste).
Slightly acid, moist soil w/ high organic content (add lots of leaf mold to top few inches of soil before planting). Plant so that pips (large buds on the end of the rhizomes) are an inch below the surface.
For most accurate info & instructions, always check with one of the many horticultural websites maintained by various universities.