Lily-of-the-Valley Bush

Although primarily grown for showy clusters of spring flowers, lily-of-the-valley bush's tough, glossy foliage is evergreen, which makes it a good backdrop. The flower buds of the bush develop late summer into fall and are held through the winter. Though not especially colorful at this point, the small buds add winter interest.

Related: Flowering Shrubs by Season

Lily-of-the-valley bush requires acidic soil to thrive. In areas with alkaline soil, the bush is in for a tough life, and in many cases, may decline each year. If you have bad soil but love lily-of-the-valley bush, consider a dwarf variety that performs well in containers.

Lily-of-the-valley bush requires well-drained soil. These somewhat persnickety plants won't tolerate getting too wet, but don't like soil that's consistently dry either. Similarly, they are particular about how much sun they receive. Full sun provides the best emerging foliage color and better blooms, but it can be too stressful in warm climates. Giving the plant afternoon shade relieves some of their stress and creates a healthy plant. In winter, shelter it to avoid brown foliage and dead tips caused by drying winter winds.

Related: Stop These Common Garden Pests Now

Lily-of-the-valley bush resists most pests, but you might find annoying lacebugs, which pierce the leaf cells and drink the contents. If you notice stippling or speckles of dead spots, check the bottom of the leaves for lacebugs. The damage they cause isn't usually substantial, so if you can bear it, just leave the pests be.