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| Convallaria | Common name; Lily of the Valley |
An excellent plant for planting in cool shady corners providing the soil contains copious amounts of leaf mould or compost to give ample moisture at the roots.
They can also be forced under glass to provide flowers during winter.
They grow 150-200mm (6"-8") high, and spreads to around 600mm (24")
The scented, white bell-shaped waxy flowers appear in April and May.
Week 2; Fetch in plants potted up in October from the greenhouse and place them in a well lit spot and maintain a temperature of 20°C (68°F)
Ensure that they are watered frequently and are not allowed to dry out.
Week 17; Take root cuttings
Week 35-40; Plant the crowns singly just below the surface of the soil, approx. 75-100mm (3"-4") apart, with their pointed ends uppermost.
alternatively; plant in small clumps 150-200mm (6”–8”) apart.
After planting, top dress the planted area with compost or leaf-mould, and water in well.
Save a few single crowns for flowering indoors.
Plant them up into a 150mm (6") pot of compost made up of equal parts (by volume) loam and leaf-mould, add some sharp sand to ensure good drainage,
Stand the pot in a cool greenhouse or coldframe until January, when they can be brought indoors and grown on in a temperature of about 18°C (65°F)
Frequent watering is necessary for rapid growth.
Week 38; Sow seed when ripe.
Prick out the young seedlings in to a nursery bed and grow on or two or three years before setting out in final positions.
Week 40-45; Divide and replant the rhizomes of established plants.
n.b. Pot up a few pieces for flowering indoors. (see above)
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