Lily of the valley is a beloved old-fashioned perennial that has been grown in gardens for centuries. This classic spring-blooming plant is cherished for its elegantly nodding, bell-shaped white flowers and intense sweet fragrance. Lily of the valley is easy to grow when planted as bare roots and thrives in shady locations where many other plants struggle. Read on to learn everything you need to know about successfully growing lily of the valley from bare roots!
What is Lily of the Valley?
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows from underground rhizomes It is native to cool, temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe. 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. The flowers have a lovely, intense fragrance that perfumes the garden. After the blooms fade, red-orange berries form which contain seeds.
Growing Conditions for Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley thrives in partial to full shade locations. It tolerates deep shade beneath trees where it can form lush green carpets. This perennial grows best in rich, moist well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral in pH. It appreciates consistent cool moisture. Lily of the valley is quite drought tolerant once established but does require irrigation in very dry periods.
This plant is cold hardy and thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-9, tolerating frigid winter temperatures as low as -40 F when dormant. The foliage dies back completely in winter. Lily of the valley emerges early each spring.
How to Plant Lily of the Valley from Bare Roots
Purchasing lily of the valley as bare root divisions is often the most affordable way to buy multiple plants. Bare roots should be planted in early spring or fall Follow these steps for successful planting
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Select a partially shaded planting area with rich soil. Improve dense, compacted, or poor soils by mixing in compost or leaf mold.
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Amend the soil with an organic fertilizer or compost to encourage strong root establishment.
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Space the bare root divisions 12-18 inches apart to allow for future spreading.
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Dig a hole or trench for each bare root that is about 2 inches deeper than the length of the roots.
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Place each bare root in its hole, carefully spreading out the roots. The crown where the leaves emerge should be just above ground level.
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Backfill the holes with the amended soil, firming the soil around the roots. Water thoroughly after planting.
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Apply 2-3 inches of shredded bark mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Caring for Lily of the Valley After Planting
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:
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Water first year plantings regularly if rains are lacking, keeping the soil moist but not saturated. Established plants are quite drought resistant.
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Apply a balanced organic fertilizer or compost in early spring to support growth. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers.
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Remove spent flowers promptly to encourage continued blooming. Do not cut back the foliage until it dies down naturally in fall.
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Mulch plants annually with 2-3 inches of shredded bark to reduce weeds, regulate soil temperature and retain moisture.
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Divide congested clumps every 3-5 years in fall. Replant the divisions to rejuvenate growth.
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Watch for slugs and snails, handpicking these pests to prevent damage to the foliage and flowers.
How Lily of the Valley Spreads
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.
To encourage faster spreading, regularly divide the bare root clumps every few years, replanting the divisions to expand your lily of the valley patch. You can control unwanted spreading by removing flower stems before they form seed pods.
Tips for Growing Lily of the Valley in Containers
Lily of the valley can also be grown beautifully in containers, which restrict spread. Choose a large pot or planter box at least 10-12 inches deep. Amend the potting mix with compost, peat moss or leaf mold to retain moisture. Plant the bare roots at the recommended spacing for in-ground plantings.
Situate the container in a shaded area with temperatures around 60-65 F. Keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated. Apply slow release organic fertilizer at planting time and again later in the season. Prune spent blooms and divide the bare roots every 2-3 years, replanting the vigorous divisions.
Companion Plants for Lily of the Valley
The shiny leaves and pendulous white blooms of lily of the valley complement many other shade-loving perennials. Excellent companion plants include:
- Ferns
- Hostas
- Astilbes
- Bleeding hearts
- Hellebores
- Violets
- Epimediums
- Pulmonarias
- Heucheras
Grouping lily of the valley with plants that bloom in different seasons helps create attractive combinations all year long.
Uses for Lily of the Valley
In addition to being a superb shade ground cover, lily of the valley has many uses in gardens:
- Mass plant for ground cover or edging
- Combine in perennial or woodland gardens
- Grow in container gardens
- Use in naturalized areas or woodland settings
- Plant near patios, porches or foundations
- Grow in rock gardens
- Border paths, walkways and fences
- Cut flowers for bouquets
The sweet scent and graceful blooms of lily of the valley have made it a beloved garden perennial for centuries. Plant this heirloom classic in your own yard to enjoy the beauty, fragrance and easy care of this charming plant for years to come.
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.
How to Plant Lily of the Valley
1. Loosen the soil to a depth of 12”. To improve the soil, you can mix in compost and all-purpose granular fertilizer (follow package directions).
2. Dig a hole deep enough for the roots, and set the plant so that the crown is about an inch below the soil. The crown is where the roots meet the stem.
3. Cover the roots with soil and water well.
How to Grow Lily-of-the-Valley Indoors – White Flower Farm
FAQ
What month do you plant lily of the valley?
How deep are the lily of the valley roots?
Are lily of the valley hard to grow?
Can Lily of the valley be planted bare root?
Planted beneath shade trees, on steep banks or against a foundation, it will give you a lush carpet of green from spring to fall. 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?
Lily of the valley is a low-growing (6 to 12 inches tall), spreading plant that comes up year after year in late spring. The genus Convallaria includes a single species, C. majalis, which is among the most useful ground covers for shade. Warning: Lily of the valley is known to be a very aggressive spreader. Plant with caution!
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 grow a lily of the valley?
Lily of the valley likes growing in moist environments. Exposure to the direct sunlight, or prolonged periods of dry soil results in the death of the plant. For best results, plant your lily of the valley in a region of the garden that provides shade throughout the warmest parts of the day, but allows for afternoon sunlight to reach the plant.