If you want to add a pop of color and fragrance to your garden, the lily of the valley is a perfect choice. Lily of the Valley is a bright and fragrant flower treasured for its ability to bring beauty to gardens.
Whether you’re looking for a few lily-of-the-valley flowers, lush pink or blue blossoms, or lily of the valley bulbs for planting, learn about this gorgeous flower and how to properly care for it so you can enjoy its vibrant color and delicate fragrance in your garden all season long.
Create a beautiful lily of the valley bouquet with his spring blossoms!
Description of Lily Of The Valley
The lily of the valley is a perennial flower native to Europe, Asia, and North America that blooms in late spring. The plants typically grow 8-12 inches tall, with heart-shaped leaves and spikes of bell-shaped white flowers from which the plant gets its name. The flowers are usually borne in small umbels formed by 10 or more flowering stalks emerging from one stem. Once established, it’s quite hardy and easy to care for — remember to water regularly in hot weather and mulch with compost or leaf mold during winter.
Cut lilies of the valley to make beautiful bouquets that last up to two weeks when kept in freshwater. You can buy potted lily-of-the-valley plants or bulbs to grow in your garden for longer-lasting blooms.When planting your lilies of the valley, space them out at least 6 inches apart and water them a few times a week for best results.Lily of the valley flower comes in various colors, from classic white to shades of pink.
Plant Caring and Growing
Proper care and maintenance of the lily of the valley plants are essential for success. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy, and keep the plant in partial shade, as too much sun can cause them to become overly dry.
During the summer, fertilize every two weeks to ensure optimal growth, but don’t fertilize too often – this can burn your plants. Placing mulch around the base of your lilies of the valley flowers will help to protect their root systems and provide essential nutrients over time.
Additionally, you may want to consider pruning old flower stems as needed to encourage a healthy flowering cycle.
Light, Water, Temperature, Fertilizer, Pruning, Propagation
There are factors to consider in planting Lily of the Valley.
Light
When planting lilies in the valley shrub, it is important to remember that they require bright but indirect sunlight for the best growth.
Watering
Water the plants consistently and drink them well if the soil seems dry. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot or other fungal diseases.
Temperature
Temperatures should remain consistent, ideally between 60° and 75°F (16°- 23°C).
Fertilizer
Feed your plants a balanced fertilizer every two weeks during summer to keep them healthy and encourage blooms.
Pruning
Pruning lilies of the valley is best done in early spring. So, it is after the flowering season, but before any new growth begins. Using a pair of sharp shears, cut out any dead or overgrown stems. Then cut back any remaining stems by up to one-third of their length. Remove any damaged, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy foliage and stems. Finally, thin crowded clumps by carefully cutting away any excess stems, leaving only a few well-spaced shoots
Propagation
Propagating lily of the valley is easy. Dig up some of your existing rhizomes in spring when you’re dividing your lilies for replanting elsewhere, or harvest seeds off spent blooms in summer for fresh clumps each season.
Lily Of The Valley Seeds
If you choose to start lily of the valley from seed, sow them in the spring. Fill 4-inch pots with damp peat and sprinkle several seeds on the surface. Press down lightly and water well. Place in a cool spot outdoors, away from direct sunlight, or indoors under fluorescent light for about eight weeks until the shoots have emerged.
When the plants are big enough to handle (six weeks), transplant them into individual pots filled with commercial potting soil. Move them outdoors in late spring/early summer once the danger of frost has passed.
Is Lily Of The Valley Poisonous?
Lily of the Valley is highly toxic if ingested. All parts of the plant, the stems, leaves, and berries, are poisonous and even can cause cardiac arrhythmias if consumed in large quantities. So be sure to plant this flower so children or pets won’t be tempted to nibble on it.
Facts
The valley’s lily represents innocence, joy, romance, honesty, happiness, and luck. It extends far beyond the borders of the United Kingdom. It is Finland’s national flower, and on May 1st, for „La Fête du Muguet”. Lilies of the valleys are given to loved ones in France. This French custom dates back to the sixteenth century (initiated by Charles IX, King of France, in 1561). It represents good fortune and happiness.
The Bible mentions the lily of the valley 15 times, most frequently in Song of Solomon. It’s said that it bloomed where Eve’s tears fell as she left the Garden of Eden. So, it has numerous biblical references.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the lily of the valley is a beautiful and fragrant flower. It makes a wonderful addition to any garden. Its white bell-shaped blooms and pleasant fragrance can add a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.
Planting, growing, and caring for these flowers do require some extra attention, as they are prone to diseases such as crown rot and root rot. However, with proper care and regular maintenance, you can enjoy the beauty and scent of these gorgeous blooms in your garden.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you will be well on your way to growing a beautiful and thriving lily of the valley in your garden.
Elyssa Goins is a gardener, beekeeper, and a proud mom of four. She is a member of the American Horticultural Society, has been published in a Scientific Journal, and loves to talk about her love of plants. For the past twenty years, she’s been all about growing and caring for various fruits, veggies, herbs, livestock, kids, and houseplants. Managing a big garden to feed four growing kids and raising dairy goats has taught her so much about being an excellent plant parent and now is her time to share with you.
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