@w3n6y I'm not a gardener but from observation of our patch and my grandma's wonderful one many years ago they seem to like shade, damp and the security of being close to a high fence or trees - but you probably already know all this!
I had suspected those points from my observations, thanks. I think that the problem is that most of our garden is extremely free draining because it is very steep and the soil is light and fairly shallow over fragmented granite. I have a "perched water table" under the vegetable terrace which is useful but I'm not about to plant lilies of the valley instead of food and medicines. Recently I put in some shallow bowls near to the pool so that I can grow bog plants there and that might be a good place for them. In view of your comments it is worth giving it a try.
You know, Hazel, you never know it all. You can always learn from anyone. It is always worth listening to what they have to say. :-)
You know, Hazel, you never know it all. You can always learn from anyone. It is always worth listening to what they have to say. :-)