Anyone have luck with Lily of the Valley in SoCal?

I love these petite bells and wondered if anyone has fooled them into blooming here in California? If so, what did tricks did you have to perform to get them to bloom throughout the winter season?

Thanks!

I planted two white lily of the valley around Christmas last year in our new backyard. They were gallon sized plants when I planted them, but they weren't in bloom. Well, they survived and bloomed beautifully! They've both actually grown quite a bit over this almost-year and I'm really hopeful that they'll have the same beautiful blooms in January or so this coming year. BTW, I purchased them at Armstrong Gardens. Hope this helps :-) I know they didn't sell them for very long, because by the time they were blooming, my mom ran to the same nursery where I purchased them and they were gone and she couldn't find them anywhere else either. If nothing else, I'll bet Armstrong has them again this year. Good luck!

This isn't a very good picture, but you can see the Lily of the Valley next to that crazy looking little bird.

Thank you amarantha00!

I do believe I've seen L-O-V at Armstrong before but I thought it was a different variety than they have back east. Maybe not. I'll check Armstrong again and try to get my hands on a gallon size.

I was just at Thompsons Building Materials in Fontana last week picking up some ceramic pots, and I saw that they have them there too. I'm going to pick one up for my mom, as she tried to get it at Armstrong and they were sold out after I got mine.

I know you're no where near Fontana, but maybe garden centers will start having them soon? Mine are still looking good despite the horrible winds and crazy storm cell we've had lately. If you do happen to be in the Inland Empire, Thompsons is a decent place to buy plants. Looking at the place (mostly outside building materials and stuff) you wouldn't think plants, but they also have a lovely selection of cactus and palms.

Keep me up to date!

Isn't there a bad fire in Fontana today? My satellite is out til tomorrow and don't know what's going on today!

I've been watching FOX news this morning and it was looking bad for a while, with the fire in a large pallet yard. They've just said it's slowing down now though. Crossing my fingers as my DH works at California Steel in Fontana...

In the Fall, I planted Convallaria majalis 'Bordeaux' pips and they are still dormant.
Will they ever break dormancy?
The microclimate in which they are grown is cool, shady and moist (but not soggy). I thought that's their preference.
Does anyone have luck with Lily of the Valley, Convallaria majalis 'Bordeaux'?

BTW, Trader Joe's had them briefly last year.

Hi Loulou,

I don't know about 'Bordeaux' but my regular Convallaria Majalis looks as if it's growing. I see roots that look green however I spotted baby slugs on them and promptly took care of that. I'd better get some sort of "stuff" for slugs. I planted these quite a while ago and nothing is springing up yet. BTW I got the bulbs at Home Depot!

Take care,
Nancy

Hi Nancy,

Keep me updated on your Lily of the Valley.
I absolutely LOVE them and am hoping that they will do well here. My mom used to use a "Muguet" afterbath splash on me when I was young. I love the scent and the memories it conjures.

As of now, there seems to be no growth with mine.

Happy gardening,
Loulou


This message was edited Mar 13, 2007 3:13 PM