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Lily of the Valley

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  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Interesting, @Joyce Goldenlily - I can't say I've ever seen berries, I must look out for them!
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I have it here, mostly in damp shade, and move bits to other parts quite often. I've just lifted and potted a little bit to plant elsewhere. 

    However, there's a house round the corner from me, where the front garden is south facing, and raised a couple of feet above the pavement level, with a wall supporting it. Convallaria runs right along the edge of the wall in a little gap between the wall and the grass. 
    If it's well watered initially, it can cope with those drier conditions no problem. Our climate suits it too, regardless of site. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I can confirm it's fine in dry shade once it's got going :)
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    I adore them, but can't seem to grow them. 😢

  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    I'm another one who can't seem to keep them.  There are a couple which emerge in the patch I planted about 15 in but I live in hope - I have another few to go in, from someone who dug them out of their garden.  Dry sandy soil.  I adore the scent.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • janetfossjanetfoss Posts: 303
    I have several clumps of it growing down the side of my house, in full sun, through hardcore and pebbles. It comes back every year, same place; I give it no attention whatsoever, no food, water, compost, shade. It is healthy and  it seems to defy all logic!
    I didn't plant it there either, so thank you birds.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited May 2023
    My conclusion is:  "Don't believe the pundits."

    I have seen several times the advice to plant them everywhere and see where they like it.  I have done this over the years and mine are now everywhere.  At least that advice was proved right.

    But stiill only one bunch for "Muguet Day" (May 1) and another mid-May.  I can't smell anything in the garden, but in a vase ... heaven.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    bédé said:
    My conclusion is:  "Don't believe the pundits."

    I have seen several times the advice to plant them everywhere and see where they like it.  I have done this over the years and mine are now everywhere.  At least that advice was proved right.
    Yeah that's a good rule of thumb, I didn't do that with LoV, and the bulbs just didn't come up. 
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Don't pay for Lily of the Valley, scrounge them.  

    When I lived oop North, it was the same for rhubarb, we never bought any roots, they were just passsed over t'wall.

    Now I can't succeed with that weed - rhubarb.  I can buy Timperley Early, or others from a  specialist, but they fade away in 3 years.  Nobody has any to give away (I don't really know because we don't speak to any of them).
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    Yes some places are really friendly like that, others not..
    People put things outside round here, for free or with an honesty box, it's a great way to get rid of crocosmia.. 😄
    But I haven't seen and LoV in anyone's garden to scrounge. 
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