Lily of the Valley Bulbs or ‘Pips’ are available for sale both as dormant bulbs and potted plants. More of a rhizome than an actual bulb, they are available online from from autumn through to mid winter, ready for planting immediately.
If you are looking for fragrance in spring, then Lily of the Valley are the bulbs for you. The rhizomes are sometimes referred to as ‘pips’, the flowers are a favourite in wedding bouquets. Also used as cut flowers and for use in floral arrangements. The broad lance shaped green foliage provided a perfect foil for the white bell shaped flowers.
Sometimes seem as fussy plants, we find Lily of the Valley easy to grow and in fact a very hardy plant given a little care when planting.
Basic Lily of the Valley Care is simple – cool damp and light shade. Although we must say they will grow well in morning sun as well.
Excellent beneath deciduous trees and also just near the drip line of shade loving camellias and other shrubs. They are also suited to growing in pots for those who wish to grow them in courtyards.
Plant will reach a height of around 15cm and will spread by underground runners in good conditions.
Fragrant with attractive green foliage this is also a favorite in Bridal bouquets.
Lily of the Valley Varieties
Like so many garden plants, a number of varieties are available, different flower forms, and different foliage. The common form is still perhaps the most popular of all
- Convallaria majalis is the common white flowering form
- Convallaria majalis var. rosea is a pink flowering Lily of the Valley
- Convallaria majalis ‘Flora Pleno’ is doble flowering form (twice as many petals).
- Convallaria majalis ‘Hardwick Hall’ has yellow margined leaves
- Convallaria majalis variegata is a form with variegated leaves, strong thin cream to yellow stripes on green foliage.
- Convallaria majalis ‘Essies Giant’ is a large flowered form of Lily of the Valley..
- Convallaria majalis ‘Fortin’s Giant’ similar to and maybe the same as the above.
Cost of the plants varies depending on the variety, as a rule the common form will cost around $2 a pip. The rarer forms $6 and upwards.
Lily of the Valley bulbs are available for sale online from the following participating nurseries.
'Sylvan Vale' 375 Olinda Creek Rd, Kalorama, VIC.3766
Including a large range of Rare and unusual bulbs, corms and perennials
www.tonkinsbulbs.com.au
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au
357 Monbulk Road SILVAN VIC 3795
Guaranteed "garden worthy" bulbs, plants and perennials. Visit the website to browse our large range of daffodils or request the latest free catalogue.
www.tesselaar.net.au
