Content
- From August, the lily of the valley bears red berries
- The berries of the lily of the valley appear from August
- Cut off blooming flowers
- Grow lilies of the valley by sowing
- Caution: Lily-of-the-valley berries are highly poisonous
- Tips
Attention! The red berries of the lily of the valley are poisonous
From August, the lily of the valley bears red berries
In spring, the lily of the valley pleases garden owners and nature lovers with its mostly white, intensively fragrant flowers. If they are fertilized, this results in red berries containing the seeds. The fruit of the lily of the valley is highly poisonous and especially for children a danger.
The berries of the lily of the valley appear from August
Bright red berries develop in August from the withered inflorescences of the lily of the valley. Each berry contains two to six seeds.
The berries are picked up by birds and the seeds are spread throughout the garden.
Cut off blooming flowers
Lilies of the valley tend to spread out in the garden. This happens once over the subterranean rhizomes that form foothills in all directions. On the other hand, the lily of the valley multiplies over the seeds that emerge in the red berries.
Lilies of the valley are difficult to remove from a garden. One of the most important mitigation measures is to cut off the faded inflorescences before the red berries mature.
But do not just throw the inflorescences on the compost, as the seeds will not be destroyed there, but germinate in the spring.
Grow lilies of the valley by sowing
If you want to multiply lilies of the valley by sowing, pick the red berries in time and sprinkle them in the desired location.
The seeds need a cold phase. To pull lilies of the valley in the pot, put the seeds in the fridge for a few weeks.
Caution: Lily-of-the-valley berries are highly poisonous
The toxins of the lily of the valley, which are also particularly contained in the red berries, are similar to those of the equally poisonous foxglove.
The red color of the fruit is very attractive to children. Even the consumption of fewer berries can cause symptoms of intoxication. If a child has eaten berries, a doctor must be consulted immediately.
In home gardens where small children or pets are left unattended, lilies of the valley should not be planted.
Tips
Due to the strong spread of the lily of the valley, the spring flower is very suitable as a groundcover among shrubs and deciduous trees. In order to prevent the spread of rhizomes, a rhizome barrier should be applied during planting.