Lily of the valley, when and where to plant it in your garden?

What a joy it is to enjoy the white bells perfuming your garden! Lily of the valley is a familiar sight, but it's not limited to May 1st. It's very easy to enjoy it for longer in your garden or on your balcony. It requires very little attention and is a joy to behold. Planted at the right time, in cool, lightly shaded soil, this perennial plant with its fragrant bells is a real pleasure.

Cultivation starting in autumn

The ideal time to plant lily of the valley clumps (stumps) is early autumn, in September and October. But don't worry if you've missed the season: in early spring, when the frosty periods are over, you can still sow your lily of the valley. If you're lucky enough to receive a pot for 1 May, plant it in your garden after it has bloomed. It will be ready for next year.

Lily of the valley is happy just about everywhere

Lily of the valley isn't fussy! It likes just about everywhere, whether outdoors, in a tub on a terrace or balcony. It can even be kept in pots indoors. For it to flower abundantly, all you need to do is place it in the shade or in a semi-shaded spot. The soil should be cool, rich and very humus-rich, light and good at retaining water. This is the soil of undergrowth!

How to plant lily of the valley

Prepare your soil by working it and removing all weeds. Over about twenty centimetres square, remove all the roots. The soil should be loose and you can add potting mix to the top soil.

If it is a potted plant that has already flowered, remove the spent flowers, but leave the leaves which will allow the plant to regenerate. Place the root ball as it is in a hole four times the size of the root ball about 15 cm deep.

To have more plants next year, separate the claws and plant them two or three centimetres deep, with the head up and protruding slightly. These claws take the form of a horizontal, branched, creeping rhizome. They should be spaced about ten centimetres apart. Mulch around the plants with shavings or shredded waste. Don't forget to water!

A pretty plant... but poisonous!

This perennial plant thrives in cool, shaded or semi-shaded areas. It can be planted grouped to create beautiful white patches or scattered in the rock garden. It enjoys the company of hostas, periwinkles, scented asperula...

Beware! Lily of the valley smells lovely, but it is poisonous! Never put a sprig in your mouth and wash your hands thoroughly after handling.