Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley)
Lily of the Valley, Conval Lily, Word Lily, Mayflower, Mugget, Liriconfancy, May Bells, May Lily, Our Lady's Tears, Lady's Tears
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.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 7 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Convallaria - Lily of the Valley |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) |
Height | 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 9" – 1' (22cm – 30cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Garden Uses | Ground Covers, Patio and Containers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 7 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, A1, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Convallaria - Lily of the Valley |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) |
Height | 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 9" – 1' (22cm – 30cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Garden Uses | Ground Covers, Patio and Containers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |