Anne Swithinbwank’s Masterclass
QWe were given some lily of the valley from a friend, but some ground elder must have hitched a lift. When is the best time to lift the clump, clean off the weed, and replant?
Margaret Dennehey, Port Isaac, Cornwall
AWe have the Romans to thank for ground elder; they carried it to our shores as a leafy veg, probably for soups. Growth arises from white, spaghetti-like rhizomes, and all it takes is a tiny section holding a node for it to break into growth. Several years ago, I made the same mistake while transplanting lily of the valley (Convallaria
majalis) from my aunt’s old garden as a keepsake. This also grows from rhizomes, and the two intertwine. I was naïve to think I had removed all the ground elder, and wish I’d planted it temporarily in a container to check.
Lily of the valley is a firm favourite, with fresh spring leaves, closely followed by stems of flower buds opening to white waxy bells in April and May. The fragrance is unique and eagerly anticipated every year. The best months for lifting, dividing and transplanting are September and October.
Carefully fork out the tangled mass of rhizomes from both plant and weed, piling them in a wheelbarrow, on a board or on a polythene sheet. Spend some time working through the soil, hunting down ground elder rhizomes until as much as possible is weeded out.
Disentangle ground elder from lily of the valley, bag and dispose of the
former, and replant the latter in the same position so as not to risk spreading the weed to another bed. Condition the soil with leafmould or well-rotted compost. Plant individuals 3in (8cm) apart, and larger groups 7in (17cm) apart, so growth tips are just beneath the surface. Water in well, and hopefully there will be a few flowers next year.
There is sure to be some ground elder regrowth, so pounce as soon as it shows and before it takes hold again.