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Gardening

Invasive Lilly of the Valley

(44 Posts)
jeanie99 Mon 06-May-19 09:01:38

I am finding it difficult to get rid of Lilly of the Valley plants which are growing in my borders.
Two ferns will need to be taken out and replanted I don't think I have any chose as the plant is now growing within the ferns.
I have already taken out a number of these plants but some are so close to shrubs I worry about damaging the route systems.
Does anyone have ideas of what to do.

BlueBelle Sat 25-May-19 08:19:05

I too have loads of wild garlic they are so very pretty onmasse aren’t they lucky girl

Luckygirl Fri 24-May-19 09:05:04

I have a scented bed that has loads of wild garlic in it - not quite what I had in mind when I was choosing scented plants! But they are quite pretty.

As for lily of the valley - bring it on!

BlueBelle Fri 24-May-19 08:01:03

???

jeanie99 Fri 24-May-19 08:00:29

Bluebelle
I have given hundreds away, the rest are in the bin taken away by the council.

BlueBelle Fri 24-May-19 07:48:07

You probable haven’t given them time to build up to flowering they need to settle and be left alone
jeannie may I urge you not to throw them away as they are a valued plant by many, give them away or sell them but don’t throw also be careful where you leave them they are highly toxic to animals (and I think small kids)

jeanie99 Fri 24-May-19 07:31:08

The plants are mainly just leaves very few flowers so no smell or pleasure to look at.
I'm still digging them out and have made quite a bit of headway in removing hundreds.
But I have no idea what is lurking under the soil, I'm sure they will be spring up next year.
I can see this is going to be an on going process, but I am very pleased with the outcome so far.
It's hard work but I guess it will keep me fit.

BlueBelle Wed 22-May-19 21:55:44

My garden smells beautiful at the moment it’s such a wonderful sight and smell my lilies of the valley I ve got lots of violets too I equally love them I just like things that are wild and abundant and anything is free to grow in my little patch they all seem to get in well together ?

Bella2018 Wed 22-May-19 21:38:01

I would enjoy your problem as I have been unsuccessful in growing them from bulbs

NfkDumpling Sun 19-May-19 20:21:50

No, Nam these ones just seem miserly with their flowers. They certainly have space and send out runners - generally, craftily into other perennials.

I’ve just noticed today that the bl***y violets have seeded under a garden seat where it’s nigh on impossible to reach!

Namsnanny Sun 19-May-19 14:18:25

Nfk...do you mean when the l of t v get crowded they stop flowing??
In another thread I’m complaining that I can’t get them to grow!! So I’m looking for any info that will help!

Resurgam123 Sun 19-May-19 14:06:22

Another one to avoid is Houttunia. It has very pretty little leaves but keep it very well enclosed in pots on a patio to be safe and dont let them loose.

It is seriously thugish. The roots go very deep and to keep the plant going its little roots break off very easily.
Beware the beast.

Charleygirl5 Sun 19-May-19 14:03:02

Lily of the Valley has never grown in my garden- why I do not have a clue so I have given up.

Resurgam123 Sun 19-May-19 13:52:07

Oh NFK dumpling has got them as well. We both had that one.

Resurgam123 Sun 19-May-19 13:48:53

I have had violets that make very tight mats of fine roots which are very difficult to dig out, they are like wire. They are not perfumed either.
Avoid them.

NfkDumpling Wed 08-May-19 21:06:39

We have spreading lily of the valley. And violets. It sounds lovely but they both make such a mat of roots and grow into other plants and don’t flower well. Lily of the valley especially. Policemen’s helmets and Spanish bluebells are invasive too, but at least they flower well.

BlueBelle Wed 08-May-19 18:23:54

My forget me knots creep into the grass area and I think it looks lovely to see flowers peeping up in the grass

RedRidingHood Wed 08-May-19 17:11:28

They love my garden as well. I don't mind them taking over a border but they creep into the grass lawn as well.

1inamillion Wed 08-May-19 16:17:49

We grow them in a pot, love them.

Namsnanny Wed 08-May-19 16:15:39

One mans meat is another mans poison!
I started a thread asking for advice on how to keep them in my garden!
Just planted some more for probably the last time so I’m keeping my fingers crossed ?!!

newnanny Tue 07-May-19 13:52:41

My Auntie used to pull up a few clumps each year to give to children's fetes for them to sell.

mimismo Tue 07-May-19 11:02:00

So jealous - I've been trying to get lily of the valley to flower for years!!

quizqueen Mon 06-May-19 19:24:16

Who could prefer boring old ferns over Lily of the Valley!!

BlueBelle Mon 06-May-19 19:19:15

I have loads of lily of the valley and a small garden they fit in beautifully with all my bluebells and I love them and their scent I could never have too many they seem to fit in between all the primroses, primulas cowslips and bluebells (and some white bells ) I ve never consider them invasive

jura2 Mon 06-May-19 19:16:49

wow - I wish

Moocow Mon 06-May-19 19:05:53

Hope you win soon jeanie99