Lily of the valley is a cherished spring-blooming flower that has graced gardens for centuries. This article will provide a complete guide to successfully planting and growing lily of the valley from bare roots.
What is Lily of the Valley?
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a perennial flowering plant native to Asia and Europe It belongs to the asparagus family and emerges early each spring with lance-shaped green leaves
In May, lily of the valley produces nodding bell-shaped white flowers that grow on upright stalks in racemes of 5-15 blooms The flowers have an intensely sweet, appealing fragrance After blooming, red-orange berries form that contain seeds.
Growing Conditions for Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley thrives in partial to full shade locations with moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It flourishes beneath trees and spreads to form lush carpets of greenery. This woodland perennial needs consistent moisture but is quite drought tolerant when established. It emerges early spring and is hardy even in frigid zones down to -40°F when dormant.
How to Plant Lily of the Valley Bare Roots
Purchasing bare roots is an affordable way to plant multiple lily of the valley. Follow these tips for success:
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Choose a shady planting site with rich moist soil. Amend if needed with compost or leaf mold.
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Space bare roots 12-18 inches apart to allow spreading.
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Dig holes 2 inches deeper than root length. Spread roots out when planting.
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Plant crowns just above soil level. Backfill holes and firm soil around roots.
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Water thoroughly after planting. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to retain moisture.
Caring for Lily of the Valley After Planting
With proper planting and care, lily of the valley will thrive for years. Here are some tips:
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Water first year plantings regularly if rainfall is inadequate. Established plants are quite drought tolerant.
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Fertilize in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer or compost.
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Remove spent blooms promptly to encourage continued flowering.
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Mulch annually to reduce weeds and retain moisture. Replenish as needed.
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Divide congested roots every 3-5 years in fall and replant divisions to rejuvenate.
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Watch for slugs and snails. Handpick to prevent damage.
How Lily of the Valley Spreads
One benefit of lily of the valley is it spreads naturally by underground rhizomes and self-seeding. Each crown expands slowly, producing new shoots up to 12 inches away. As the plants multiply, flowering improves.
To accelerate spreading, divide clumps regularly and replant divisions. You can curb unwanted spread by removing flower stems before seed pods form.
Growing Lily of the Valley in Containers
With adequate soil depth and moisture, lily of the valley can be grown beautifully in containers. Choose a pot at least 10-12 inches deep. Use a quality potting mix amended with compost or peat moss. Situate the container in partial shade and provide consistent moisture. Fertilize at planting and midseason. Divide roots every 2-3 years, replanting vigorous divisions.
Companion Plants
The nodding white blooms and shiny leaves of lily of the valley pair nicely with other shade-loving perennials like:
- Ferns
- Hostas
- Astilbes
- Bleeding Hearts
- Violets
- Hellebores
Planting lily of the valley near early and late bloomers provides seasonal interest.
Uses for Lily of the Valley
- Ground cover or edging
- Woodland or perennial gardens
- Container gardens
- Rock gardens
- Border plant along paths, fences or foundations
- Cut flowers
Planting Lily of the Valley Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps for properly planting bare root lily of the valley:
Choose a Site
Select a shady spot with rich moist soil. Amend if needed with compost.
Prepare Holes
Dig holes 2 inches deeper and wider than the bare roots. Space 1 foot apart.
Plant the Roots
Carefully place each bare root in a hole with roots spread out. Plant crown just above soil level.
Backfill Soil
Refill the holes with soil, firming it around the roots. Water thoroughly after planting.
Apply Mulch
Cover the bare ground around plants with 2-3 inches of shredded bark mulch.
Provide Care
Water first year plantings during dry periods until established. Fertilize in spring. Remove spent blooms.
With this complete guide, you can confidently plant and care for lily of the valley ordered as affordable bare roots. Planted in optimal conditions and properly maintained, this heirloom perennial will flourish for many years, delighting you each spring with its sweet fragrance and graceful nodding blooms.
More From The Collection
Lily of the Valley This perennial flower has small white blooms that are bell-shaped and have a sweet scent. This flower spreads itself from Rhizomes. This plant does best in partly shaded gardens. The Lily of the Valley is very popular for planting in gardens.
This flower has small white flowers that are bell-shaped. It is an herbaceous perennial plant. This means that it has a non-woody stem and that it will regrow and produce flowers year after year. It produces flowers during the springtime. This white perennial flower provides a healthy and pleasant scent which the plant is famous. After the flower blossoms, green berries may appear that will turn red or orange when ripe. They grow best in zones 3-9.
Lily of the valley has green, shiny and pointy leaves that can reach a height of 6-9 inches in length.
The plant can be up 8 inches wide. It reproduces through the seeds found in its berries as well as by rhizomes and stolons. This plant should be planted in full or part shade and in the rich, moist and well-draining soil for best results. It does not require watering, but it is suggested you water them during an extended period of dry weather. When planted in warmer and more southern locations, the plant will need more shade. The plant is resistant to grazing animals such as deer and rabbits. It is an excellent addition to woodland and rock gardens.
Shade-loving plants like moist, yet well-drained soils. Some plants can tolerate more acid soils than others. If in doubt about the type of soil, local Agriculture agents can do testing for you at little to no cost.
The Lily of the Valley is shipped bare root. It is a NON- Native plant.
- Grows Well in Zones:USDA Zones 3-9
- You are in Growing Zone:my zone
Growing Zones:
- Color: White
- Season: Late Spring, Summer
- Height: 6-12 inches
- Exposure: Partial – Full Shade
- Ships As: Pips
- Warranty: 1 Year
Customer Reviews 5.0
- 5
Really excited about these!
Sep 07, 2024 Reviewer: Kati Chandler Well packaged, and the roots are in good condition. I cant wait to see them in the spring! - 4
Lily of the Valley
Aug 30, 2024 Reviewer: Leslie Roots came in good shape—fast shipping. There were no instructions on how to plant them, and me being a new gardener that would have helped. Will buy more from Native Wildflowers. - 5
Lilly of the valley
Aug 13, 2024 Reviewer: Judy dowell-bundschuh The roots arrived healthy, planted in my raised bed and Ive waited for growth to review and these are a winner! I like these because I have low heart rate and medicinally, Lilly of the valley leaves will increase yours. Use with caution! - 3
fingers crossed
May 15, 2024 Reviewer: E E I am not sure how these will do. They were strings/strands of roots and only a few had growth nodules and what looked like a place growth could come from. I will update my review if they start popping up. I really want this to work bc I love this company and want to support their work and get more plants. - 4
Lilley of the valley
May 01, 2024 Reviewer: Cate Gross Plants arrived in good shape
How to Grow Lily-of-the-Valley Indoors – White Flower Farm
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of lily of the valley?
It can lead to heart problems, stomach pain, vomiting, confusion, and even vision issues. The berries are especially dangerous to children. Contact with the plant can also cause skin irritation. If someone eats lily of the valley, it’s important to see a doctor right away.
What month do you plant lily of the valley?
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Bare Root Pips:Plant bare root pips (also called rhizomes) in early spring while they are still dormant.
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Potted Plants:You can plant potted lily of the valley anytime during the growing season, but it’s best to wait until after flowering if you’re planting them out of pots.
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Fall Planting:If planting in the fall, ensure it’s done before the ground freezes, allowing the roots to establish before winter.
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Spacing:Space lily of the valley pips about 4-6 inches apart and plant them 1-2 inches deep in the soil.
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Sunlight:Lily of the valley prefers partial shade, but will also grow in full shade.
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Soil:Choose well-draining, rich soil.
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Watering:Water the plant regularly, especially during the first year, and when the soil is dry.
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Note:Lily of the valley can be an aggressive spreader, so plant with caution.
Why are lily of the valley so expensive?
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Rarity and Labor-Intensive Cultivation:Lily of the valley is not as readily available as other flowers, and its cultivation and harvesting require significant labor, contributing to its high cost.
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Short Blooming Season:The flower’s blooming season is relatively short, further limiting its availability and increasing demand, which drives up the price.
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Delicate Nature:Lily of the valley is known for its delicate nature, making it difficult to handle and preserve, which adds to the cost.
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Symbolic Significance:Lily of the valley is a popular choice for weddings and other special occasions, and its symbolic meaning of humility, purity, and luck in love contributes to its desirability and price.
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Popular Choice for Royalty and Wealthy:Lily of the valley is a popular choice for bridal bouquets of royalty and wealthy individuals, further increasing its demand and price.
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Price per Bundle:A bouquet of lily of the valley can cost anywhere from $50 to $400 or even more, depending on the season and size.
Is Lily of the valley a bare root plant?
Longfield Gardens offers lily of the valley as grade #1 bare root plants. Each plant (sometimes called a “pip”) has a well-developed root system. Once planted, it will quickly settle in and start growing. Is Lily of the valley a spreading plant?
Is Lily of the valley a lily?
Lily of the Valley is not a lily. It belongs to the asparagus family. All parts of the plant are poisonous. In the language of flowers, the Lily of the Valley symbolizes the return of happiness. Lily of the Valley is the birth flower for May. According to folklore, Lily of the Valley is said to protect gardens from evil spirits.
How do you care for Lily of the valley bare roots?
Apply 2-3 inches of shredded bark mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Lily of the valley requires minimal care once planted. Here are some tips for looking after your lily of the valley bare roots after planting: Water first year plantings regularly if rains are lacking, keeping the soil moist but not saturated.
What does a lily of the valley look like?
This woodland plant belongs to the Asparagaceae family and has lance-shaped green leaves that emerge in early spring The flowers of lily of the valley bloom in spring, typically in May. Each flowering stem has two small leaves and a hanging “raceme” of 5-15 tiny, bell-shaped white flowers at the end that look like pearls on a necklace.
How often should Lily of the valley be watered?
If the roots seem to be relatively dry at planting time, you can soak them in cool water for an hour before planting. As with all new plants, lily of the valley should be watered weekly for the first 4-6 weeks after planting. Lily of the valley is an extremely tough plant and it will grow in almost any type of soil or climate.
What are the benefits of Lily of the valley?
One of the benefits of lily of the valley is that it naturalizes nicely, spreading by underground rhizomes and self-seeding over time to form attractive, low maintenance ground cover patches. Each crown slowly expands, producing new shoots up to 12 inches away. As the plants multiply, flowering and vigor increase.