How to Plant Lily-of-the-Valley

Lily of the valley, Convallaria majalis, is prized by gardeners for its sweet fragrance, delicate bell-shaped white flowers and ease of planting. Lily of the valley is a fairly hardy plant that will grow in shady parts of the garden where other plants may not survive. It is suitable for planting in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 2 to 8. Lily of the valley grows from bulbous roots called pips.

Peat moss, compost or ground bark
Gardening scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare a planting site that gets light to moderate shade and has good drainage. Add organic matter such as peat moss, compost or ground bark if the site is prone to becoming waterlogged. Raise the soil level by 3 inches with the organic matter to improve drainage.
- 2
  Soak your lily of the valley pips in lukewarm water before planting. If they came in a plastic bag, add water to the bag to moisten the planting medium they were packaged with. Place the bag in a sink for one to two hours, until the pips are slightly swollen and hard.
- 3
  Snip the bottom inch off the roots of your pips to activate them and kick-start growth.
- 4
  Plant your pips approximately 1 1/2 inches apart. Leave their tops just poking above the ground.
- 5
  Water immediately after planting until the soil is completely soaked.

How to Design a Flower Bed

Trees for Sound Barriers

Flower Garden