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Companion for lily of the valley container

Apologies if this is better placed in the Garden Design category. I’m looking for suggestions for something to compliment lily of the Valley in a container, ideally something which will flower after LOTV has gone over, native if possible but not essential and certainly pollinator friendly. I’m low on inspiration at the moment.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Any Heuchera/Tiarella/Heucherella [assuming it's in a shadier site]  but the Convallaria will colonise the container very quickly if it's happy.
    Native primulas would also be fine, but they tend to flower around the same time unless you live somewhere cooler. They flower on and off all year round here. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Saxifrage seems to be the answer to many of my questions!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Saxifrages flower at around the same time as Convallaria too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Would foxgloves work?
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    The last time I watched Gardeners World Monty Don planted up a container with Lily of the Valley amongst other things and I couldn't understand why because the flowering period is so short. I assumed he liked the leaves. Foxgloves have a longer flowering period but if I were going to the trouble of planting a container I'd want something that lasted the summer not just a week or two. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • I’m planting is as a larval food plant. 
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    I see, knowing that then advice might be different just for pollinators. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What size is the container? An average, single foxglove would fill a container of around ten to twelve inches diameter. They aren't really perennial either - although there are supposedly some which are. Most are bi-ennial.
    If I wanted Convallaria in a pot long term, I think I'd add bulbs. You could have crocus for example, or snowdrops, to come through first, then some daffs/narcissus which can either be before the convallaria or after, depending on the choice. The lily of the valley would gradually take over anyway though. It can be a thug in the right spot, which is why many people don't like it.  
    If the container's big enough [ie around 2 feet diameter at least] you could have a foxglove, but also something like a hardy geranium, or the heuchera [brilliant for pollinators] and those bulbs. That would also be more aesthetically pleasing, because of the varying heights and contrasts in foliage shape and colours, as well as giving a longer season.  :)
    I grow wild rocket which is great for bees and hoverflies. It's very tough. Can also be quite thuggish if it's in the right place. It doesn't mind some shade either, or damper soil. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I have a long narrow bed running east to west between a pathway and a retaining wall so quite shady ... we have Convallaria and various hardy ferns along there, and they work really well together.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The one saxifrage that might be fine is S. urbium - London Pride. Mine flowers at the same time as the lily of the valley, but carries on a bit longer.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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