Lily of the valley is a delightful spring bloom with tiny, bell-shaped white flowers. It does well in shadier areas of the garden and can even be a pretty groundcover; but when your lily of the valley isn’t blossoming, all you have is a lot of greenery.
Growing Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley generally does not require much care. As a perennial, you can typically put it in the ground and let it spread to fill out a bed or shady space, watching it come back denser year after year. The conditions that this flower likes include partial shade and moist, loose soil. If it gets too dry, especially, the plant will not flourish. Like other perennial bloomers, lily of the valley flowers in spring and summer and goes dormant with no blooms in fall and winter. It is hardy in cold temperatures, all the way to USDA zone 2. It will not do well in zones higher than 9, where it is too warm in the winter to give it an adequate dormant period. No lily of the valley flowers one year may mean that your plants are not getting exactly what they need, but you can likely figure out and solve the issue to get blooms next year.
Fixing a Lily of the Valley Not Blooming
If your lily of the valley won’t bloom, it may just be that you need to be more patient. Some gardeners have reported that they have boom and bust years with lily of the valley flowers, but you also may not get many blooms until your plants have been well established in the right conditions. Another issue may be overcrowding. These flowers tend to spread and grow densely, but if they get too crowded among one another they may not produce as many blooms. Thin out your bed late this summer or early in the fall and you will probably get more flowers next year. Lily of the valley plants like to have moist, although not soggy, soil. If you had a dry winter or spring, your bed of lily of the valley may have gotten too dry. During drier years, be sure to water them more to encourage blossoming. Having no flowers on lily of the valley plants is a bummer, but it can be fixed. Correct some of these common issues and you are likely to enjoy an abundance of pretty, bell-shaped flowers next spring.
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Treating Diseased Lily Of The Valley Plants – Symptoms Of Lily Of The Valley DiseaseThere are some plants that it almost breaks your heart to see sick. Lily of the valley is one of those plants and one that's worth trying to save, when you can. Click here to learn how to treat sick lily of the valley, as well as ways to keep your plants healthier.
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Pests On Lily Of The Valley : Bugs And Animals That Eat Lily Of The Valley PlantsThere are few disease issues or lily of the valley pests. These are easily managed provided you know what you are looking for and how to treat the problem. Learn what pests on lily of the valley might be of concern, and how to identify and combat them in this article.
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Moving Lily Of The Valley Plants: When To Transplant Lily Of The ValleyA rapid spreader, people find themselves moving lily of the valley all the time with no ill effects to the plant. That said, if you?re new to growing this specimen, click on the following article to find out when and how to transplant lily of the valley.
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How Invasive Is Lily Of the Valley: Should I Plant Lily Of The Valley Ground CoverIs lily of the valley invasive? Lily of the valley is a perennial plant that grows from stem-like underground rhizomes that spread horizontally, often with amazing speed. It also reproduces from seeds. Exactly how invasive is lily of the valley anyway? Find out here.
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Dividing Lily Of The Valley: When To Split Lily Of The Valley PlantsAlthough lily of the valley is extremely easy to grow (and may even become aggressive), occasional division is necessary to prevent the plant from becoming unhealthy and overcrowded. The following article can help get you started with lily of the valley division.
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Is Lily Of The Valley Poisonous : Understanding Lily Of The Valley ToxicityIs lily of the valley safe for gardens? Lily of the valley toxicity makes it unsafe to have around children and pets. The plant is so dangerous that ingestion could result in a trip to the emergency room, or in rare cases death. Learn more in this article.
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Lily Of The Valley Varieties – Growing Different Types Of Lily Of The Valley PlantsLily of the valley plants produce a delicate, fragrant flower that is unmistakable and a great addition to the garden. But what kind of selection is out there? Learn more about the different lily of the valley plant types in this article.
