they prefer shade but not to fussy about soil. they will spread if happy and if not will diappear from the face of the earth.[ like they do in my garden grrrr}

Yes, they prefer semi-shade and moist soil, but according to Carol Klein (who also lives in Devon), they are difficult to establish. She wrote this informative article in the Daily Telegraph . . . hope it helps.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/3319451/How-to-grow-Lily-of-the-valley.html

Yes, they are happiest in semi-shade and soil that doesn't get too dry. Carol Klein (who also lives in Devon) wrote an article in the Daily Telegraph some years ago saying that they are difficult to establish(!), and she prefers to pot them up for their first year until they have plenty of root. You might find it by Googling? Try dailytelegraph/gardening/howtogrow etc. Good luck!

Im my garden they grow in shade on a moist soil - I would like to add that given the right conditions they will spread - I didn't plant mine - they come under the fence from next door and no matter how much I pull out - they reappear every year!!

Apologies for the repetition above . . . I tried to delete the second message without success!

Not arguing with the damp shade at all, but I've seen them flourish in a dry shady border, north facing and draughty - have some there at the moment and my Mum had a flourishing bed of the right under the house wall where it was dry, shady and windy. They seem to be very picky and unpredictable but spread when happy. Good luck with them - hope they love your garden!

I bought a bag of seven, many years ago - no success, they didn't grow. Then, about three years later, all these strange looking plants just appeared. When they opened up a bit more I realised they were the lilies of the valley. Since then, I've got masses of them both in the front garden (facing north, shady) and in the back garden (facing south, very sunny). I've got that many, I'm digging them out in clumps and giving them away!!

That's quite funny Sheilar! Just shows . . . we could break the "rules" more often. :))

Thanks for all the tips and warnings about lily of the valley!
I guess that if Carol Klein warns of problems to get them established, there is little hope for me but I'll have a go! I do love them so I will do my best.