Lily Of The Valley

[catswhiskas]

I have just received  some of these, can I plant them outdoors ?

[bhg481]

Yes but beware, they can spread out of control.

[Old_Geezer]

My parents always had a nice lot of them in the back garden.

[roopower]

Agree with bhg. My mothers favourite flowers, I planted some in the front garden and they pop up all over the place. I'm sure there's a proper word for them, but the roots travel under the ground. They like a slightly damp area, our garden is on a bit of an incline and they seem to prefer that area.

[Atheist]

All parts of the plants are poisonous.

We had loads growing wild in our front garden in London, and have loads in our back garden in France. I love them. On 1st May in France bunches of the flowers arethey are given and are allowed to be sold in public close to your home and not too close to flower shops. I love their delicate appearance and their smell.

[rowanwitch]

Grow on in a pot in a cool frost free place until spring then plant half of  them out in semi shade with lots of organic matter.

The reason I say only plant out half is they are really fussy about where they establish.   If they are not growing in any gardens near you you may struggle in which case growing them on in a container is your safest option.   Only managed them in one of four gardens, in that one they were a blooming nuisance and spread happily  

[MargoTester]

I have some in pots otherwise they run rampant 

[Atheist]

They seem to thrive in rather shaded areas, e.g. under shrubs. I'd heed rowan's advice.

[catswhiskas]

Thank you all for your replies, I will do what rowanwitch recommends. 

[Ringlet]

I'm sorry I have no advice for you, but just want to say, if you can get them to grow I envy you.  

I love lily of the valley but have never been successful in growing them - I think my clay soil and coastal location is not suitable for them. 

Good luck and enjoy the sight and scent of these beautiful plants.  

[Prudie]

I'm the same as Ringlet, I'd give anything for them to run rampant in my garden. I've never had success to get them to take yet, in various shady places.

[Tilly2]

Mine are travelling along a shady back border. They have probably mooved about four feet since we planted them.

They are called le muguet in France.