How To Take Care Of Valley Lilies?

Lily of the Valley, also known as May Bells, Mary’s Tears, and Our Lady’s Tears, is a woodland plant with attractive green foliage and tiny, bell-shaped, white or pink flowers. It requires little to no maintenance once established and can grow in almost any spot with some shade. The plant forms a spreading mass with red seed pods remaining after flowering, making it attractive after blooming and carefree.

Lily of the Valley thrives in humus-rich soil that is also neutral or slightly acidic. It can survive in various soil conditions, including treated and composted soil. The best soil pH levels for the hardy Lily of the Valley are between 60°F to 70°F. To care for the plant, keep the soil evenly moist and water when the soil begins to dry out due to a lack of rainfall or hot weather.

To propagate the plant, side-dress with compost when new growth appears in the spring and keep the soil evenly moist. Mulch annually with leaf mold or other organic matter and divide clumps in autumn. Lily of the Valley grows best in the Upper and Middle South with mild conditions and average humidity, preferably between 60°F to 70°F. Planting the plant in a location where the soil is naturally moist and slightly acidic to neutral is ideal for growing the plant.

Lily of the Valley plants should be planted in beds that remain consistently moist throughout the entire growing season. Cooler temperatures are ideal for growing the plant in any form, but planting them in pots first for the best results.

What happens if you touch lily of the valley?

Lily of the Valley, a flower with a high concentration of poisonous compounds, is primarily poisonous in its roots. Ingestion of the berries by children is a common cause of poisoning. Ingesting the plant can cause dermatological irritation, dermatitis, and cardiac damage. The poison’s effects can be observed in the entire body, including the heart, which demonstrates alterations in its rhythm and force of contraction.

Why is my lily of the valley dying?

Lily-of-the-valley stem rot is caused by a botrytis fungus, which starts with small specks on leaves and develops into sunken brown spots. The disease spreads to the stems, leading to the plant dying back and collapse. To discourage the disease, remove dead foliage and avoid fertilizing with excess nitrogen. A fungicide spray, such as Daconil (chlorothalonil), Serenade (Bacterial subtilis), sulfur, neem oil, or bicarbonate-based fungicides like Green Cure and Remedy, is recommended to protect the foliage from the fungus.

Is it OK to pick lily of the valley?

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is a woodland flowering plant known for its sweetly scented, bell-shaped flowers and attractive foliage. It is widely grown in shade gardens and is a popular ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics. The plant holds significant global significance, being Finland’s national flower and the floral emblem of Yugoslavia. Lily of the Valley is a low-growing rhizomatous perennial, 6-12 inches tall, that comes back year after year in spring.

It displays up to 15 sweetly scented, nodding, bell-shaped flowers, white or pink, hanging along slightly arching stems. Small orange-red berries follow them. The blossoms rise above the handsome foliage of paired fluted green leaves.

Lily of the Valley is cold hardy, living for decades in cool climates. It is trouble-free, requires little maintenance, and is deer and rabbit resistant. However, it contains cardiac glycosides, which are highly toxic if consumed by humans or animals. The plant is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe, but has escaped cultivation and naturalized throughout much of temperate eastern and central North America and parts of the Northwestern U. S. Where well adapted, it can become invasive.

How often should I water the lily of the valley?

Lily of the Valley is a tough plant that can grow in various soils and climates. It requires weekly watering for the first 4-6 weeks after planting. The roots need moisture, but once established, they are drought-tolerant. Lily of the Valley’s foliage stays green in warmer zones, and deer rarely bother the plants or flowers. It is easy to care for, as it requires zero maintenance. To grow Lily of the Valley, soak roots in cool water for an hour before planting and water them weekly for the first 4-6 weeks.

How do you make lily of the valley last longer?

The Lily of the Valley is a unique white, sweetly scented flower found in Asia, Europe, and North America. Its bell-shaped white flowers bloom in spring and are known by various names such as Mary’s tears, May Bells, and Our Lady’s tears. The flowers are highly poisonous if consumed, and in France and Belgium, it is customary to give a Lily of the Valley bouquet to loved ones on the 1st of May. Growers should use Chrysal BVB post-harvest treatment to improve the quality of the flowers and prolong vase life.

Florists can use the Lily of the Valley in wedding designs and funeral floral arrangements, mixing them with other flowers or using them in mono bouquets. However, due to its limited supply and availability, it is essential to keep the flowers fresh as long as possible in store. Proper post-harvest treatment is crucial for the lily of the valley’s health and longevity.

Should lily of the valley be cut back?

Lily of the Valley is a plant that can be propagated by dividing its rhizome every two years in the fall or spring. This process creates new plants and helps protect older flowers. To propagate, dig a deep hole around the root clump every two to four years, lift the root ball gently, and divide it into sections. Place the newly divided roots 6 inches to 2 feet apart and at least 1/2-inch deep. Plant the sections in a shady location for best results.

Water the divisions when planting and consistently while establishing, avoiding overwatering the soil or keeping the foliage wet. Dead flower blooms or brown or yellow leaves should be removed with a horizontal cut at least a quarter inch above the base.

Can you touch lily of the valley?

Lily of the Valley, a flower with a high concentration of poisonous compounds, is primarily poisonous in its roots. Ingestion of the berries by children is a common cause of poisoning. Ingesting the plant can cause dermatological irritation, dermatitis, and cardiac damage. The poison’s effects can be observed in the entire body, including the heart, which demonstrates a reduction in both the speed and force of its pumping action.

What do I do with lily of the valley after flowering?

After lilies have flowered, cut off the flower heads and allow the foliage to die back naturally. Avoid cutting the stem back until it becomes hollow and brown, as this will feed the bulb for next year’s flowering. Leave the bulbs in the ground or pots, as they prefer a cold dormant phase during winter. Ensure they have plenty of drainage to prevent waterlogging and rot. Tilt the pots or place them under shelter to prevent waterlogging. After a few years, divide the bulbs and replant them all.

Why are my Lily of the Valley dying?

Lily of the Valley plants are often susceptible to fungal pathogens that have been growing worse for years. To treat these diseases, it is essential to thinning the plants every year and ensuring good drainage. Leaf spots can form when the foliage is watered long enough, allowing fungal spore development. Pluck any infected foliage and treat with a fungicide to stop them. Rust is another issue that can be easily prevented if caught early. Rust fungus appears as yellow patches on the top side of the leaf, with corresponding orange-brown spores on the underside.

Wet or humid conditions also encourage rust, so promote air flow when applying a fungicide. Fungal rot, such as crown rot and stem rot, can cause plant collapse. Stem rot causes leaves to develop yellow or gray specks that expand into brown sunken spots, while crown rot starts at the crown and causes discolored leaves and plant collapse. Both are incurable. Dig out infected plants and toss them to protect unaffected plants. Southern blight can be devastating to growers of various crops, as Sclerotium rolfsii is not very picky about its victims.

Remove tan or yellow ball-like structures on the base of the plants and sterilize tools thoroughly with bleach. Protect uninfected plants with a protectant fungicide. Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter to receive a free download of our DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter”.

Do lilies bloom more than once?

Lilies bloom once per year, needing a cool winter dormancy period of at least 8 weeks to restart the flowering cycle. They bloom 2-3 weeks out of the year, and choosing varieties with a staggered bloom season allows them to cover the entire summer (June – August). Lilies are best used in perennial plantings, as companions for rhododendrons and azaleas, in mass plantings, as landscape accents or specimen plants, in cutting beds, and in containers.

To request a replacement for failed bulbs, customers must notify the company promptly of quality problems upon arrival and make a written request via email, Fax, or regular mail. They suggest labeling and marking bulbs in the garden for better communication. For claims on losses, customers must dig up failed bulbs and provide a detailed report of their findings. A written claim should specify the variety, quantity, and approximate time of year received, as these details are crucial for customer satisfaction and correcting any issues.