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Maianthemum stellatum (Starry False Lily of the Valley)

Starry False Lily Of The Valley, Starry False Solomon's Seal, Star-flowered Solomon's Seal, Convallaria stellata, Smilacina liliacea, Smilacina sessilifolia, Smilacina stellata, Smilacina stellata var. crassa, Smilacina stellata var. mollis, Smilacina stellata var. sessilifolia, Smilacina stellata var. sylvatica, Vagnera liliacea, Vagnera sessilifolia, Vagnera stellata

Maianthemum bifolium, False Lily of the Valley, Mayflower, May Lily, One-Blade, One-Leaf, Two-Leaved Lily of the Valley, Wild Lily of the Valley, Smilacina biflora

Maianthemum stellatum (Starry False Lily of the Valley) is a creeping, rhizomatous perennial with alternate, pointed leaves, 5-6 in. long (12-15 cm), that clasp upright stems. In late spring to early summer, the stems are topped with sprays of 6-15 white, star-shaped, lightly-scented flowers. The flowers are followed by edible green berries with black stripes, turning red with black stripes, and then black. Spreading by underground roots, Starry False Lily of the Valley is a magnificent ground-covering plant for woodland gardens.

  • Grows up 12-24 in. tall (30-60 cm) and 10-18 in. wide (25-45 cm). Will spread by creeping rhizomes to form colonies.
  • Performs best in part shade in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Rich, moist, humusy soils are preferred. Intolerant of heat and humidity. It will grow in full shade, but flower production will be minimal.
  • Easy to grow, Starry False Lily of the Valley is a welcomed addition to shady gardens, cottage gardens, woodland gardens, naturalized areas or in moist areas near streams or ponds. Most effective as a groundcover or underplanting shrubs and roses.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame in autumn, or by division of rhizomes in spring.
  • Native to North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Maianthemum
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 10" - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, United States, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Maianthemum canadense, Canada Mayflower, False Lily of the Valley, Ruby Bead, Two-Leaved Solomon's Seal, Maianthemum canadense var. interius, Maianthemum canadense var. pubescens, Unifolium canadense
Maianthemum dilatatum, False Lily Of The Valley, May Lily, Canada Mayflower, Maianthemum bifolium ssp. kamtschaticum, Maianthemum bifolium var. kamtschaticum, Maianthemum kamtschaticum
Maianthemum bifolium, False Lily of the Valley, Mayflower, May Lily, One-Blade, One-Leaf, Two-Leaved Lily of the Valley, Wild Lily of the Valley, Smilacina biflora
Maianthemum Racemosum, False Spikenard, American Spikenard, Smilacina Racemosa, Solomon's Zigzag, Treacleberry, Wild Spikenard, False Solomon's Seal, Fat Solomon, Western Solomon's SealAGM Award

Recommended Companion Plants

Allium ursinum, Wild Garlic, Ramsons, Bear's Garlic, Buckrams, Gipsy Onion, Hog's Garlic, Ramsomes, Wild Leek, Wood Garlic, Ornamental Onion, Spring Bulbs, Spring Flowers, White Flowering Onion, Late Spring Flowers, Early Summer Flowers
Arum Italicum, Italian Arum, Shade Perennial
Asarum caudatum, British Columbia Wild Ginger, Western Wild Ginger, Long-Tailed Wild Ginger, groundcover, evergreen groundcover
Dicentra formosa, Pacific Bleeding Heart, Pacific Bleedinghearts, Western Bleedingheart, Wild Bleeding Heart, Western Fringed Bleeding Heart, Oregon Bleeding Heart, Pink Flowers, Shade Perennial
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Maianthemum
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 10" - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, United States, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Not sure which Maianthemum to pick?
Compare Now

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