Lily of the valley grows easily in most locations without much care. Unlike other plants, you don't even have to prune lily of the valley. On the contrary, it can even be very disadvantageous. When is it necessary to cut lily of the valley.

Lily of the valley are beautiful cut flowers

Cut lilies of the valley

  • Cut off faded inflorescences
  • Never cut back leaves
  • Plant residues on the compost or in the garbage can
  • Wear gloves when cutting or picking

Cut faded lilies of the valley

Basically, you don't need to cut lilies of the valley at all. However, there is a good reason to cut off faded bud sites.

The red berries develop from them, which are very poisonous on the one hand and in which the seeds form on the other. If the inflorescence is not cut, the seeds will mature and later spread throughout the garden via birds.

To be safe, wear gloves when cutting lily of the valley. The flowers are also poisonous. The plant sap that escapes when you cut it back can trigger an allergic reaction even if it comes into contact with the skin. After caring for lily of the valley, you should wash your hands well.

Never cut back leaves

The leaves of the lily of the valley retract themselves in the fall. Don't cut them back unless you want to remove the spring flower from the garden.

In summer, the lily of the valley absorbs new nutrients through the leaves, which are then stored in the underground rhizomes.

Even if the lily of the valley leaves don't look as pretty as the year goes on, it's better to leave them on the plant.

Cut lilies of the valley for the vase

Lilies of the valley are often cut as spring bouquets or for flower arrangements or picked on the go.

Even though it can be read frequently, picking in the wild in Germany is not forbidden as long as the stalks are few.

But consider the toxicity of the spring flower. Your toxins will move into the water in the vase. Throw it away immediately after the flowers have faded. Be careful that children do not accidentally drink it.

tips

You can throw leftover lilies of the valley on the compost. The toxins decompose in winter. Only if you want to destroy lilies of the valley do you dispose of them in the dustbin, as the seeds will also germinate on the compost.

Category:

Vegetable garden