Lily of the Valley

Lovely and dainty aren’t they! Mine are just starting to bloom...

I've got mine in a sunken bucket, to stop them spreading too far.

I wish it would spread for me. I was my wedding flower.

They do spread but slowly and I wouldn't call them a thug. I just pull out the ones that go out of bounds. They have such a short season. Thank You Kate. These crept into my garden from the neighbor's garden before she passed away. Good choice for a wedding bouquet Eileen. The fragrance must evoke happy memories for you.

They are very adaptable to various conditions but ideally they like dappled sun/bright shade, rich, moist, loamy, fluffy soil. Eileen, try tilling the soil around them if it is compacted and mix in some dark rich compost. Maybe start up some seeds indoors. Also ground roots will impede their ability to spread, crab grass (you call it couch grass).

I have done all of that Bathgate but it tends to stay compact.

Does at least bloom for you?

Yes I get flowers :o)

If you want more, I would just start up some seeds indoors then plant them out. They don't spread very quickly.

I love these plants Paul, especially the scent from the flowers. I haven't any in my small garden but it's lovely to see them around.

Heh Paul.

Great photo. Lovely perfume. I keep mine in a bucket on the patio, as a feature. The idea being to avoid spreading. Despite my polite frequent requests my OH still decided to pop some in one of our flower borders

.............. now they are everywhere. ;(

Hi Alan, nice to hear from you. I can't smell anything unless I get down low. I have them growing in an ignored part of my garden so I let them alone. Hope you're doing well.