Marianne's Response

Lily of the Valley

I planted two Lily of the Valley plants last year. They were blooming great thus year, even had the beginning bud for flowers to bloom on one plant, then the landlord mowed them down. I am crushed. I don’t have a green thumb and was so excited that these (very hearty, impossible not to grow) plants were flourishing. My first question is, do they have a chance at blooming yet this season? (In Grand Rapids, MI our bloom time is usually around May 24th-ish, my mom’s birthday.) I know I’m asking you, to be a gardening fortune teller, I apologize. My second question is can I replant them in a safer spot before our bloom time or should I wait until after our bloom time?
For the record I did have them fenced off to avoid them being mowed down, but he removed my fencing and mowed any way.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Cake29

Posted by Christine Hanline on May 1, 2016

Marianne's Response

I think there is hope for your Lily of the Valley plants but first I need to know if you are talking about the groundcover with bell shaped white blooms that are only about six inches tall or the shrub with the same name that grows to six feet and has woody stems and evergreen leaves. The groundcover grows from an underground bulb or pip and can surely survive a mowing. The shrub may suffer more from a mowing but I am going to guess he would not have mowed down a young shrub - but then if he moved the fencing, perhaps he ignore the shrubs inside. I am optimistic however and suggest some large tubs or planters for your flowers to protect them from overly ambitious mowers. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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