If you love unusual flowers with subtle, delicate beauty, then try growing lilies of the valley - they look stunning!
Resilient and still gentle, these flowers don't always need too much to grow well, but they still need some proper conditions.
Here is how you can grow these beautiful flowers in your garden.
Choose a suitable location
Find a spot in your garden that has partial shade or dappled sunlight.
Make sure the soil is well-drained and rich in organic matter.
Prepare the soil
Remove any weeds or grass from the area where you want to plant the lilies of the valley.
Loosen the soil using a garden fork or shovel to improve drainage.
Obtain lily of the valley plants
Purchase lily of the valley plants from a local nursery or garden center.
You can also ask friends or neighbors if they have any extra plants to share.
Planting
Dig small holes in the soil, spaced about 6-8 inches apart.
Place each lily of the valley plant into a hole, making sure the crown (base) of the plant is level with the soil surface.
Gently fill the hole with soil and press it down lightly.
Watering
After planting, water the lilies of the valley thoroughly to settle the soil.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Mulching
Apply a layer of organic mulch around the plants, such as shredded bark or compost.
Mulching helps retain moisture in the soil and suppresses weed growth.
Maintenance
Remove any weeds that may emerge around the lilies of the valley plants.
Water the plants during dry periods, especially in summer.
Avoid overwatering, as lilies of the valley prefer slightly moist soil.
Division
Every few years, in early spring or fall, you can divide the lilies of the valley to propagate them or control their spread.
Carefully dig up the clumps, separate the individual plants, and replant them in desired locations.
Enjoy
Once established, lilies of the valley will produce fragrant white or pink bell-shaped flowers in spring.
Admire their beauty and fragrance, and share their charm with others.
Previously, we talked about growing aeschynanthuses.
