Ideal for shady areas and heavy clay, Convallaria majalis (Lily of The Valley) is a low-growing rhizomatous perennial forming a lush, spreading groundcover. Blooming for 3 weeks in mid to late spring, up to 15 sweetly scented, nodding, bell-shaped, white flowers hang along slightly arching flowering stems. Renowned for their powerful floral perfume, they rise above the handsome foliage of paired elliptic green leaves. A real charmer and an outstanding performer, Lily of The Valley is trouble-free, requires little maintenance and is deer and rabbit resistant. Long-lived, it naturalizes easily to form extensive colonies.

• Prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society (1993)
• Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm). It will spread quickly by rhizomes to form dense colonies in good growing conditions.
• Thrives in part shade to full shade in evenly moist, fertile, organically rich, well-drained soils. It will grow in full sun in northern regions if the soil remains moist. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including clay soils. Dry conditions will tend to restrict its growth.
• A great naturalizer, it is an excellent choice as a ground cover and creates thick mats of fluted, dark green leaves. Can be grown under trees too.
• Wonderful as fresh cut flowers. A favorite of florists!
• Lily of the Valley greatly benefits from an annual application of organic compost each fall.
• Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe (remove flesh from seed prior to sowing) or propagate by division in autumn.
• Toxic if ingested. Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Native to Europe, but has escaped cultivation and naturalized throughout much of temperate eastern and central North America plus parts of the Northwestern U.S. Can become invasive where well adapted.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.