We grow lilies of the valley in the garden

Lily of the valley is a perennial plant with delicate flowers and elegant aroma. This review is intended for beginner flower growers who want to learn how to grow this unusual grass in their backyard.

Botanical description

To begin with, we will look at what the lily of the valley looks like, and also dwell on a brief biological description of this herb.

Lily of the valley (Convallaria) - genus of perennial herbs of the Asparagaceae family (Asparagaceae). The grass usually reaches a height of 20-25 cm. The root system creeps, the roots themselves are thin. Multiple roots have a fibrous structure.

Leaves are found in numbers from one to three. The leaf is oval oblong, broadly lanceolate, retains a bright green color until the end of July, then turns yellow and withers. Peduncle formed from a flower eye.

In its upper lobe the peduncle is screwed up in a spiral and has a triangular cross section.Flowers are concentrated in the brush for 8-10 pieces. The flowers are small, fragrant, snow-white bells with short stamens.

The length of each bell is 4 mm, and its width is 5 mm. By the end of the blooming phase, the inflorescences lose their color, the ovary is formed - three-chamber fruits. Each berry has 3-6 seeds. As for the natural areas where lilies of the valley grow, they are usually pine, deciduous or mixed forests, as well as meadows and edges. Especially good flowers grow in the floodplain oak forests. Under natural conditions, this grass can be found in almost any country in the European continent.

Popular varieties

Previously it was believed that the genus Lily of the valley consists of only one polymorphic species - May. On the basis of geographical separation, some lilies of the valley stood out into autonomous species, while the biological characteristics differed very little.

In today's classification, it is customary to distinguish three biological species of the genus:

• May (Europe and the Caucasus);
• Mountain (US);
• Keizke (North and East Asia).

In decorative floriculture, lilies of the valley have been bred from the XY century. Several garden varieties have been developed:

• "Rosea" - possesses light pink inflorescences;
• "Alba Pleno" ("Flore Pleno") or "Alba Plena" ("Flore Plena") - possesses large white terry inflorescences;
• "Grandiflora" - it is allocated with large inflorescences;
• "Albostriata" - leaves of the plant have creamy white longitudinal stripes;
• "Picta" - with purple spots at the base of the filaments;
• "Prolificans" - different from other forms of branching pedicels, forming a crowded inflorescences;
• "Aureovariegata" or "Lineata", "Striata", "Variegata" - different yellow longitudinal stripes on the leaves.

Choosing a place on the plot

Lily of the valley is a forest grass. In order for lily of the valley to feel like "at home" in your backyard, you must follow the rules of cultivation and care, and also choose the most comfortable zone for flowers.

Location and light

Lilies of the valley prefer shading location.However, the shading should not be thick, otherwise the flowering will stop. In a continuous shadow, the plant gives all its strength to the growth of leaves. Plant flowers under trees or shrubs. Also avoid overly lighted areas, which are characterized by active exposure to the direct rays of the sun. Overheating of the soil in the root area negatively affects their growth.

It is also known that lilies of the valley do not like strong winds. The fence, the wall of the house, as well as tall trees and shrubs will help protect the plants.

Soil for lily of the valley

It is advisable to prepare the substrate for planting in advance, a year before disembarking, or in the spring. The cultivated layer of earth should be quite deep (25-30 cm).

Lilies of the valley prefer well-drained, light or medium loamy, cool, moist, slightly acidic soils (pH 5). But the plant also grows well on neutral soils. Acidic soil in advance lime.

In addition to lime, add peat compost, manure or humus, as well as some simple superphosphate and potassium sulfate. In the summer, keep the area fallow, do not let the ground overgrow with weed.Before landing do not forget to loosen the soil.

Planting flower

Lilies of the valley can be grown from seeds, but it is better to transplant them entirely or use the method of division of rhizomes.

Timing

Flowers preferably planted in the fall. Nevertheless, they are well rooted in the case of spring planting.

In the autumn The best time for the landing is August-September. If you are planting an autumn plant, then in two months sow beans or peas in the plot. Before planting, mow the greens, and put the roots in the ground. The beans will help to enrich the soil with nitrogen and organic matter accumulated in the tubers on the roots.

In the spring Spring disembarkation is also permissible. Actually in the spring you can easily find planting material. The best landing time in this case is April-May. However, when planting in spring, the plants may become ill. Young sprouts will take root more easily in the open ground if you prepare a plot of land in the fall and dig up the soil in the spring before planting. In addition, cover the shoots with polyethylene for the night, thereby protecting them from the early spring frosts.

Planting scheme

1. Prepare the material for planting: divide the root into segments of 3-5 cm long with several apical eyes (buds). Choose such cuttings, in which the apical peephole is large and rounded.
2. The beds do not need. On the border of the site, dig in a wide (about 20 cm) fence. If there is a threat of fluid retention, with ordinary branches, organize drainage.
3. On the roots of the roots shorten thin roots.
4. Place the segments in the wells about 3 cm deep at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other.
5. Cover the wells with fertile soil and mulch with leaf humus.

As for when the lilies of the valley bloom, the first buds are expected in the month of May. The grass blooms throughout just two weeks. Thus, the flowering phase will last until early June.

Proper care of lilies in the garden

After planting, the rooting stage begins, which lasts for one month. During this period, use organic fertilizer, the mineral substances will be relevant only after a year. Lilies of the valley are unpretentious, so do not saturate them with excess chemicals.

The main rule of care - in a timely manner and regularly water the flower beds.However, do not allow excessive moisture. Water as soon as the soil around the flowers dries. In dry summer weather, irrigation procedures should be increased.

Keep the land in a loose and weed-free state. It is desirable to get rid of weeds manually.

What to do after flowering?

Lilies of the valley - aggressive plants. Despite their external fragility, they have excellent "punching" properties and are very active in spreading. By planting only a few roots in the ground, you will get a lawn filled with fragrant grass.

These flowers are able to get rid of almost any plant from the garden. Therefore, after flowering, conduct procedures to curb development. For this purpose, enclose the beds with sheets of slate, iron or other similar material.Protect the flower beds so that the slate goes to a depth of about half a meter.

Little about the healing properties

Lilies of the valley are valued for their high concentration of glycosides. About 20 glycosides were detected in all parts of the plant. These substances are used for the production of heart drugs.

Glycosides help to strengthen the heart muscle, as well as regulate energy and lipid metabolism with impaired blood circulation. It is proved that glycosides improve hemodynamics and affect the excretory system.

The range of use of lily of the valley in traditional medicine is somewhat broader. It is used to reduce the swelling of various genesis, with eye diseases and disorders of the nervous system. Usually, weakly concentrated decoctions and tinctures are made from plant parts.

With respect to the rules of planting and with minimal care, your garden lily of the valley will not be equal in beauty. You will provide yourself with pleasure every spring to watch the delightful flowering of this delicate flower in your backyard.