Lily of the valley is a treasured shade garden plant that produces graceful arching stems studded with fragrant white bell-shaped blooms in spring. This classic perennial has been grown for centuries, but can be challenging to find at local nurseries. The most affordable way to buy multiple plants is by purchasing lily of the valley pips. If you’re new to growing this heirloom flower, here is everything you need to know about planting and caring for lily of the valley from pips.
What are Lily of the Valley Pips?
Lily of the valley is grown from rhizomes called pips rather than bulbs Each pip is a root division consisting of a crown where new shoots emerge surrounded by some roots and growth buds,
Pips are generally sold in two sizes
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Planting pips are 1 year old rhizomes with few roots Only about 20% bloom the first spring after planting
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Flowering pips are 2 years old with well-developed roots and mature crowns. These bloom abundantly the first season.
For quickest results, opt for established flowering pips. Planting pips take longer to mature and flower, but allow you to buy more plants affordably.
When to Plant Lily of the Valley Pips
Spring is the best time to plant lily of the valley pips. This gives the roots time to establish before winter dormancy. Follow these spring planting guidelines:
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Bare root pips should be planted as soon as the ground can be worked in early spring.
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Potted pips can be planted anytime during the growing season.
Lily of the valley pips can also be planted in fall, but may take longer to settle in and bloom. If planting in fall, get pips in the ground 6-8 weeks before the first frost date.
How to Plant Lily of the Valley Pips
Follow these simple steps for successful planting:
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Choose a partially shaded planting site with rich, moist soil improved with compost.
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Dig a hole or trench 2 inches deeper and wider than the bare roots or potted pips.
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Place the pips in the holes, carefully spreading out the roots. Position the crown at soil level.
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Backfill the holes with soil, firming it gently around the roots.
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Water thoroughly after planting.
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Apply 2-3 inches of shredded bark mulch around the pips to conserve moisture and discourage weeds.
Caring for Lily of the Valley After Planting
Lily of the valley pips require minimal care once planted:
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Water first year plantings weekly if rainfall is lacking to encourage good establishment.
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Fertilize in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer or compost. Avoid high nitrogen formulas.
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Remove spent flower stems after blooming finishes to tidy appearance. Don’t cut back foliage until it dies down naturally in fall.
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Mulch plants annually with 2-3 inches of bark chips or shredded leaves to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
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Transplant divisions of congested patches every 3-5 years in fall to rejuvenate growth.
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Handpick slugs and snails to prevent damage. Deer don’t bother this plant.
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Cut flower stems to bring the fragrant blooms indoors. Remove pollen stamens first to prevent staining.
How Lily of the Valley Spreads from Pips
One benefit of lily of the valley is the pips multiply over time to form attractive swathes of green leaves and nodding blooms. Growth happens through underground rhizome spreading and self-seeding.
Dividing mature clumps every few years and replanting the pips encourages faster spread. Removing spent flower stems before they form seed pods can minimize unwanted spread.
Tips for Growing Lily of the Valley Successfully from Pips
Follow these tips to get the best results from your lily of the valley pips:
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Start with high quality, fresh 2 year old flowering pips for fastest maturity and blooms.
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Time planting in early spring after the last frost date.
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Prepare soil with plenty of compost or other organic matter before planting.
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Space pips appropriately for future growth – planting pips 8-12 inches apart is ideal.
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Water newly planted pips weekly until well established.
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Apply mulch after planting to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
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Allow 2-3 years for young pips to mature and flower well. Be patient!
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Divide congested areas every few years to encourage vigorous growth.
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Remove spent blooms to encourage more flowers but let foliage die back naturally.
Companion Plants for Lily of the Valley
The graceful white bells and lush foliage of lily of the valley complement many other shade-lovers. Excellent companion plants include:
- Ferns
- Pulmonarias
- Astilbes
- Hostas
- Violets
- Hellebores
- Epimediums
- European ginger
- Foamflowers
- Primroses
- Wild ginger
Blending lily of the valley pips with these beauties provides varied flower forms, foliage textures, and year-round interest.
Uses for Lily of the Valley Grown from Pips
Lily of the valley started from pips offers wonderful possibilities:
- Groundcover or edging beneath trees or along foundations
- Mass planted in shady beds and woodland gardens
- Rolled into lawns or used as a flowering lawn substitute
- Grown in containers on patios, porches or balconies
- Planted in rock gardens or between stepping stones
- Used as a cut flower for fragrant indoor arrangements
With proper planting and care, lily of the valley pips will reward you with the vintage beauty, fragrance and easy care of this cherished heirloom perennial.
Your Guide to Planning, Planting, and Growing Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley is known for its pure white, bell-shaped flowers and unforgettable perfume. This plant does well in shade and is a tough ground cover that can grow almost anywhere in the country. Plant it under trees for shade, on steep banks, or against a wall, and it will give you a lush carpet of green from spring to fall.
WHERE TO PLANT LILY OF THE VALLEY
Lily of the valley is a shade-loving groundcover with a dense root system. As the plants grow, the roots spread and will eventually crowd out weeds and most other nearby plants. Over time, just a few plants will become a lush carpet of green. Lily of the valley will keep landscaped areas looking neat and clean with little or no care from spring to fall.
Lily of the valley should not be planted in a perennial garden. Instead, treat it as a ground cover, giving it a place where it can roam. Some good places to plant are in the shade or partly in the shade under trees or shrubs, on steep banks or uneven ground where it’s hard to move a lawn mower, and in abandoned areas where not many other plants will grow.
How to Grow Lily-of-the-Valley Indoors – White Flower Farm
FAQ
What are pips in lily of the valley?
How long do lily of the valley pips take to grow?
How fatal is lily of the valley?
What if I touch lily of the valley?
Are Lily of the valley pips invasive?
While they are sweet, however, they are not completely innocent. Lily of the valley has sometimes been considered an invasive species of plant, taking over vast tracts of forestland to the point where other flowers are unable to compete. Before planting lily of the valley pips in your garden, be sure you are not near protected woodland areas.
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.
What Lily pips are available?
We are happy to provide our customers with 2-year old blooming lily of the valley pips in both white and pink, while most companies have only 1-year old planting pips available (often referred to as “planting pips”, or “groundcover pips”, as opposed to the mature “flowering pips”.
How do you plant Lily of the valley pips?
Before planting lily of the valley pips in your garden, be sure you are not near protected woodland areas. One of the few flowers that does not mind shade; plant at the base of trees for a fragrant ground cover. Interplant with daffodils whose leaves can’t be cut back until later in the season, or to mask the bulbs of later-blooming flowers.
