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Moving Lily of the Valley

rholden_82rholden_82 Posts: 80
in Plants
Hi all,
We planted some lily of the valley a few years ago that was given to us by a friend - it's doing ok but it has spread and has now started popping up through our lawn!! When is the right time to move it? I would like to keep it and re-plant it if possible, any advice?

Thanks,
Rebecca.
Dolce far niente....

Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,496
    If it has finished flowering, prepare a site for it and move it now.  If the weather is dry, make sure you water it in sufficiently.
    If you don't think the conditions are right, mark those you want to move and wait til Autumn before digging up and planting.
    Those in your lawn will probably disappear after a couple of years mowing.
  • TackTack Posts: 1,342
    I was clearing a bed and found some just appearing above the soil line 2 weeks ago. I've potted them and they have continued to grow so I reckon now is a good time.
    Central southern England
  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,350
    Getting rid of it is very difficult, the roots go deep. I don't think you can kill it by moving it at the wrong time. Most probably, you will end up with it both in the old location and in the new one. When they are happy, they can be very invasive.
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,358
    Oh to have that problem!  I just can't seem to grow lily of the valley and it is one of my favourite flowers.  I've tried it in dappled shade, I've tried it in sun, I've watered it but - it just disappears.  Sandy soil might have something to do with it.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    It likes rather wet shade. It's such a thug in my border that I move it any time. The roots run along just under the surface for the runners so they are easy to shift.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,593
    Ours are only showing growth and no flowers spikes visible.
    They grow where they want to and as others have said when you "dig" up the ones you don't want...they come back the following year.
    As always in gardening, give it a go and see what happens but leave some just in case!
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 948
    @didyw I tried for years to grow them, and they just didn't seem to like my garden. I now grow them in pots and they come back year after year. 
    Lincolnshire
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,358
    Thanks @Janie B - I'll see if I can grow some in pots.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
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