Lily of the valley(Convallaria majalis) is one of the most charming spring perennials. In its natural state, it can be found in forests all over Poland, butdecorative varieties of lily of the valleyare also used in gardens and city parks. See whatcultivation of the May lily of the valley looks likeand how to propagate it yourself. We advise on what to do to make the lily of the valley grow he althily and beautifully, as well as whatvarieties of the May lily of the valleyshould be planted in the garden.
Lily of the valley - Convallaria majalis
Fig. pixabay.com
Lily of the valley - description and application
Lily of the valley is a perennialbelongs to the lily family and is found mainly in Europe and Central Asia. The lily of the valley forms underground rhizomes which, if placed shallowly, grow quickly and easily. This makes thelily of the valley a good ground cover
On the rhizomes of the lily of the valley, buds are formed , from which grows elliptical or lanceolate, lush green leaves, 15-25 cm long. In the third year of cultivation, apart from the leaves, there are also delicate, beautifully fragrant, bell-shaped flowers gathered in clusters. In garden varieties of lily of the valley, up to 18 flowers can appear in one cluster.Lily of the valley blooms from May to early June
The fruits of the May Lily of the valleyare small, pendulous, spherical red berries, about 1 cm in diameter. However, the plant produces them very rarely, and they are practically not found in garden cultivation.
Due to their low requirements and fast spreading , lilies of the valley are often planted in largegardens or parks as ground cover plants. They blend well with such plants as: garden ferns, hazel, sorrel, hoof, yew and cypress. It should be remembered thatthe May lily of the valley is a highly expansive speciesand choose its appropriate position.
Lily of the valley can be usedalso as a plant for growing in containers on balconies and terraces and for accelerated cultivation in pots and cut flowers.
Good to knowLily of the valley is no longer protected. The amendment to the regulations on the protection of plants, fungi and animals of October 2015 excluded the lily of the valley from the list of protected species.
Lily of the valley - healing and poisonous properties
Lily of the valley is a highly poisonous plantAll parts of the lily of the valley are highly toxic due to the high content of cardiac glycosides.Even drinking water from a vase with lilies of the valley can be dangerous, especially for young children and the elderly. Lily of the valley juice may irritate the skin, so it is best to pick flowers with gloves.
Consuming any part of the May lily of the valleymay lead to a drop in blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea, red rash on the skin, disorders cardiovascular function or vision (everything is then yellow).
The fruits of the May lily of the valley are highly poisonous
Fig. shutterstock.com
Lily of the valley preparations used under medical supervisionThey are used as a component of cardiac drugs, well tolerated by the elderly. Due to the high content of flavonoids (they have an anti-inflammatory effect) and glycosides (they improve the blood supply to muscles and joints), preparations from the lily of the valley are not typical painkillers, but they are used in rheumatic ailments.They are also mildly diuretic and sedative.Lily of the valley essential oilis considered a powerful aphrodisiac.
Lily of the valley and wild garlic
When discussing the appearance and application of the May lily of the valley, it is worth noting thatleaves of the May lily of the valley are quite similar to the leaves of wild garlicThe mistake can be so dangerous that the leaves of wild garlic are edible and lily of the valley are very poisonous.
Fortunatelyplants are hard to confuse, because the leaves of wild garlic give off a strong, characteristic garlic smellBesides, bear garlic grows from onion, and lily of the valley from the rhizome . Before collecting garlic leaves, it is worth removing one plant from the ground and making sure that the onion is there for sure: -)
Lily of the valley - varieties
Recommended for gardensvarieties of the May lily of the valleyare presented in the table. As you can see, there are quite a lot of varieties of this beautiful plant with charming, delicate flowers.Many of them have colorful leaves, which makes lilies of the valley planted in the garden a real attraction.
Lily of the valley - cultivation in the garden
Lily of the valley requires a shady or semi-shaded position . It is resistant to unfavorable weather conditions, withstands temporary droughts well and is frost-resistant enough not to require protection against frosts.
Lily of the valley prefers humus soils , rich in nutrients, slightly moist, permeable, with a pH of 6.0 - 7.0. It will also cope with weaker substrates, but it will be less colored and flowering less abundantly. This plant can grow in the same place for many years, but you only need to provide it with an appropriate dose of compound fertilizers in early spring.
Lilies of the valley can be bought as potted seedlings or rhizomes , the latter method being much more common.Lilies of the valley in the form of rhizomes are simply cheaper.
Plants from pots can be planted all year round, as long as the soil is not frozen or excessively dry.Lilies of the valley in the form of rhizomes are available for sale in autumnand then we plant them (preferably in October, at the latest by the beginning of November). To prepare a stand for a lily of the valley, it is worth mixing the soil with mature compost, manure and peat.
Lily of the valley - Convallaria majalis
Fig. pixabay.com
Soakedthe rhizome of the lily of the valley should be planted quite shallowly , 3-5 cm deep, so that the tip of the rhizome is just below the ground surface. Lilies of the valley are planted at intervals of 15-20 cm.
Cultivation of the May lily of the valley is not difficultDuring drought, the plants should be watered, and when we notice that they grow or bloom less well, fertilize them with fertilizer multi-component or mature compost. In October, close to the ground, cut all the dried-up parts of the plant that can be used for compost.
Lily of the valley - reproduction
Lilies of the valley are best propagated by dividing rhizomesThis method is usually successful and can be easily done by any gardener.
The best termfor reproducing lily of the valley autumn- from October to early November. Dig the rhizomes out of the ground, clean and cut them into pieces 5-6 cm long, with at least one bud on the rhizome fragment. Prepared in this wayplant the lily of the valley directly in the groundat a distance of 15-20 cm or several in pots.
Lily of the valley - Convallaria majalis
Fig. pixabay.com
Driving lily of the valley in winter
To enjoy lily of the valley flowers in winteryou can accelerate its blooming. For this purpose, when vegetation ends in autumn, the plant's rhizomes should be dug up. We only choose those with large, blunt-tipped buds.We clean them, shorten the roots and plant a few pieces in pots filled with garden soil or a mixture of peat and sand in the ratio 1: 1.
Pots with lily of the valley intended for forcingput in a cool a room with a temperature of about 0 ° C or we lower it in the garden, remembering to cover it with e.g. peat. At the beginning of February, we move the pots to a room where the temperature is around 20 ° C. After germination, the plant is placed in a bright room, providing it with a large dose of light. The flowers will appear about 30 days after the pot is moved to the apartment.
Do not throw the lily of the valley after it fades. Constant. They cannot be used for the next season.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
