What to do with lily of the valley in a pot after May 1st?

Replant the lily of the valley in a pot after the May Day holiday

On May 1st, lily of the valley is the essential flower to offer. So, allow me to share with you, via Rustica’s blog, a bit of lily of the valley and tips for growing it successfully!

Lucky bells

You will find everywhere the ‘French Giant’ or Nantes lily of the valley which is the most widespread variety. This weekend, it will bloom on every street corner. Coming from a rhyzomatous strain called claw, lily of the valley ( Convallaria majalis) is a perennial plant with lustrous green leaves that, always at the same time, produce floral stems enamelled with deliciously scented white bells.

To plant in the garden

Do not get rid of the potted plants that you have been offered because they do very well in the ground, in the garden or in a large pot, on the balcony. Plant them in partial shade, in rich and cool soil, or even slightly damp. Lily of the valley is courageous and adapts to competition from other roots, which makes it particularly interesting for covering the ground at the base of trees and shrubs or creating a border along a hedge. After a few years you will get a scented carpet or border as Hubert Fontaine suggests.

Yellow streaked foliage

To prolong flowering, which is often short-lived, why not try the variety with yellow streaked foliage? You will find this species under the botanical name of Convallaria majalis ‘Albostriata’ in specialized nurseries. One of them is in Lorraine and offers a range of particularly robust and hardy plants. At its head, Monique Chevry, is passionate about perennials. She multiplies and cultivates classic but also original species like this variegated lily of the valley. Her nursery adjoins a demonstration garden – the Adoué garden – where the plants she cultivates are staged and placed.