Lily of the Valley

Mine took ages to establish but now it spreads every year. It seems to like the shade and grows between my shed and the fence so is always in the shade.

I have two small patches in different spots in the garden one in the front of the house in a border that is quite dry but in sun till early afternoon the second is in the back garden is under some conifers mostly in shade and it’s pretty dry. I don’t do anything apart from weeding they seem to manage by themselves. They are just starting to bloom at the moment.

I have a garden full I transplanted a few from my dads garden when he died 7 years ago and they have made and made they are all up and in bud the smell when they come out is lovely
They get the sun in the afternoon and like Tanith I do nothing but weed around them

Mine like dry shade, they spread along the dry cracks in the path. They are one of the most beautiful plants of late spring.

Well I'm fed up.

I planted some in a shady bit of our garden ages ago and they have done nothing.

I try every few years to get them going, but have not succeed in getting them established. I have the roots and plants this year so will have to wait and see. When I researched it seems that some people consider them to be weeds as they are so rampant. Not a problem I have had.

I have some with pink flowers. They have always been in a pot. I have planted them in the garden now so fingers crossed that they survive. They will be in the shade for most of the day.

Here’s mine growing along the path in the company of hellebores, euphorbia and bluebells.
So if there’s a place where the others grow, the Lilley of the Valley should do well.

The wild lily of the valley here (US) don't grown anywhere near as tall as those depicted in J52's image - (that I know of?) Perhaps a different variety - But agree that they seem to thrive in rich soil but drier environment - The ones I planted on the northern side of house (3 different sections) seem to want to hug close to the house before spreading in other directions - Perhaps it's drier closer to the house? The ones planted under the canopy of trees are growing in with the Periwinkle / Vinca, they receive dappled shade, and is also a drier section of the yard -

Mine are established now but only after a few years and some failures. I was given healthy roots but they didn't thrive. However they are now in the rockery- where it's quite dry? They must have deep roots in the shade.
I love them too. Good luck.

In none of the gardens I've had, have I been able to grow lily of the valley. However, if, as J52 suggests, they grow well in company with hellebores, I will try again. Hellebores flourish in my garden and seed themselves freely.

Our last two houses have come with flourishing beds of Lily-of-the-valley, growing in identical conditions, in quite deep shade at the foot of a brick wall and with a tree close by, in one case a hawthorne, the other a hazel tree, which would make the soil short of nutrients because the tree would take a lot of them.

Well Thanks everyone!

It looks like dry shade for the roots, a bit of sun for the flowers and patience it is!!

Kittylester….me too, several times but I'm going to try once more!!

Telly....its very frustrating isn't it? Put in all the effort and nothing happens :-(

Bluebell.....your garden sounds gorgeous! I have a velvet red rose bush from my MIL garden, which always brings a smile. I think plants from relatives have a special attraction don't they?

Grammareto…...I'll just have to try again and wait to see if they like where I put them. I'll be looking for places like your rockery I think.

annodomini…...goodluck this time. Let me know how you fare.

MOnica…...the last time I planted some it was under a Magnolia tree. I have read that some things don't thrive near Magnolia roots, but I'm not sure how reliable that info is.

J52....I can almost smell them!!!

Mine grow in a heavy clay soil and in dry soil, near the fenches and overhanging trees so pretty much in most places.
I dug out a huge amount early this year and gave them away to very happy gardeners.
They can spread into areas you don't want them so I tend to dig out unwanted ones yearly.

I adore Lily of the Valley. They remind me of my grandmother who picked them every year for the house.

I have one leaf and one flower stem at the moment and like everyone on here have tried time after time. Will keep my fingers crossed

Well here goes!
I've soaked and planted my LofV roots. Next to the house wall which gets afternoon sun, and some in a shady place under Japanese acer trees.
Now all I can do is wait and see!