Re: Why can't I grow Lily of the Valley?

These are the results of my lily of the valley experiment. I planted them
in 4 different environments--

1. full sun, dryish soil-- blooming was good, spreading was very slow.
2. part sun, dryish soil-- blooming good, spreading a bit faster, but not
invasive
3. full shade, moist soil-- no bloom, no spreading, gradual dieout
4. part sun, moist soil-- stand back!  excellent blooming, strong and
quick spreading.

This is in a climate with very hot summers.

Since you say they bloom every year, you probably have sufficient light.
I'm wondering if your soil is frozen so much of the winter that they
aren't getting a very long growing season, and less chance to multiply
and spread? Perhaps in your cold climate, a spot with sunshine that will
thaw the ground earlier would give them extra time, if your summers
aren't too hot.

		Mary 
		MO zone 6

>I've been told that Lily of the Valley is invasive. Ha! Not in my 
>garden!
>The problem is that I want it to be invasive.  What am I doing wrong?
>
>Three years ago I planted two small pots that each had 2 "pips." This
>spring I have 5 pips--the same as last year.  Although they aren't
>spreading, they have flowered every year.
>
>They are located on the north side of my garage-- in deep shade for 
>most of
>the day. The soil has a lot of organic matter and the bed is well 
>drained.
>I keep the bed evenly moist.
>
>Are they not getting enough light?  Might I have planted them to 
>shallow?
>Could the soil be lacking something?  To much water? Not enough 
>water?
>
>I also failed to establish hosta (one attempt) and lamium (two 
>attempts) in
>the same bed.  One the other hand, I have a ligularia stenocephala 
>that I
>planted the same year as the Lily of the Valley that is very healthy.
>
>Any ideas?
>
>Thanks 
>
>Leslie
>zone 3 southern Manitoba
>
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