LILY OF THE VALLEY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 128, 2 June 1938, Page 26

LILY OF THE VALLEY

A well established bed of Lily of the Valley is a great joy when in full bloom. As a rule so long as they continue to bloom satisfactorily it-is best to leave them undisturbed. They rather resent transplanting, although this cannot be helped if new beds are to be made or it is desired to pot up some crowns for early flowering. It is best, however, not to dig up

the beds until the crowns are so crowded that the blooms are deteriorating. A top dressing each year after flowering is over will keep the plants vigorous and greatly improve the quality and quantity of the flower spikes. Old stable manure, well-rotted cow manure or even rich, clean soil will give good results. A little bonedust mixed with the soil if such is used will add to its value.

Liquid manure may be used if preferred. This may be made from horse or cow manure or from soot. If overcrowding makes replanting" desirable it is best done in the autumn, discarding all but the plumpest spikes or crowns and planting the best 3 inches apart with the tips just under the surface.

Three-year-old crowns are the ones which flower and these are round and plump, whereas the younger crowns are pointed. The one- and two-year-old crowns may be saved and grown on in new beds or in nursery rows until they reach the flowering stage. New beds should be well dug and manured before planting, and allowed to consolidate.