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I know some peeps can grow this easily, and some people it is a weed, but for 2 people I know, they struggle and every year plant some, and every year it dies!  So, advise please.  Where is the best location, - full sun/dappled shade....and lots of water or dry, rich or poor soil....?  You get the idea.

Thanks for your help! ;D

I have some Emma,  it is tucked behind a  conifer tree at my front door and it thrives in its neglect.  It is also North facing and maybe gets the sun briefly on a morning.  Our soil is quite sandy, but it seems to do OK.  Think its perseverance with Lily of the valley, I am sure you will manage to grow some one day. 

;) ;) ;)

It grows in the gravel & through the tarmac of the hard standing outside my garage, no care or attention whatsoever apart from getting driven over every few days.

Dry, poor soil, harsh  drainage, partiall shade ( total when the car's left out)

No perfume though  :-\

Judging by where it self-seeds, I think it likes moist, semi-shade best, but will tolerate anything, but I think it is not that great at being transplanted - takes it quite a long time to get established after being moved. The ones sold as bulbs in garden centres have a reputation for not doing well, too.

The same five or six stalks come up in the bottom of the D bed, so in nice rich soil in dappled shade. They rarely flower and have never increased in 11 years. So, you are not the only ones for whom it fails to thrive.

that would explain it for me then! got some free bulbs in a magazine offer - have moved them twice in 2 years - and was wondering why they did not flower! oops!

I have about 10mSq of Lily of the Valley in dry partial shade, under some Damson trees, and about 5Msq in the front garden, clinker and North facing..
As long as you move it in the green, while it still has leaves you shouldn't have much trouble!
;D

I shall pass on this advice.  Neglect it is!  I should be able to manage that one! Thanks

I  bought a dried up  half-price pack of Lily of the Valley from a cheapo shop a few years ago, planted it in the lottie where the flourished/spread so much that I had to dig it up (again using too much ground for flowers says Mr W) and replant it - same thing again so eventually I planted it in a plastic trough where it still remains tho pretty packed - no flowers so far this year but lots of lush green leaves so looking forward to the blooms again.  Tho I don't like the perfume at all...........

By the way check out this site I find it fascinating http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/lilofv23.html - read the part about treating plants with chloroform!!

"can be fickle, so try them in different places to give them a choice"



[http://www.bluebellbulbs.co.uk/Catalogue/Native%20bulbs.htm][/http://www.bluebellbulbs.co.uk/Catalogue/Native%20bulbs.htm]

Always remember Lily of the Valley in my Grandma's semi neglected garden, loved 'um. Planted some of my own about 5 years ago, now spreading nicely and they flower their socks off, they are under a Hardy Fuchia and seem to be very happy.

Love it but can't grow it at all.  I daren't add up the cost of plants I've killed.  Always planted in semi shade, in a variety of dry, moist and soaking wet positions and everything in between.  Nothing has reappeared the following year.  Guess it's just something I have to resign myself to failure at :'(

Lily of the valley is the bain of my garden at home. Currently in the process of digging it all out, the roots look very much like couch roots and thats how it spreads.
When we moved in our house 5 years ago there was a nice patch now (with neglect) the whole garden is covered..... My garden gets full sun all day & the soil is very dry/sandy.

Any tips on how to get rid of it????  ;D ;D ;D ;D

RC