Helping You Become a More Successful Gardener
Plant Search
Gerald L. Klingaman
Liliaceae
Convallaria majalis
European Lily-of-the-Valley, Lily-of-the-Valley
The delicate ivory blooms of lily-of-the-valley are unsurpassed when it comes to sweet, unforgettable fragrance. This deciduous, low-growing groundcover originates from temperate Europe and Asia. In mid-spring it puts forth broad, lance-shaped leaves of medium to dark green. Shortly afterward small stems lined with small, drooping, bell-shaped flowers appear. These may be ivory or pale pink and are exquisitely scented. After flowering poisonous, orange-red, berry-like fruits are produced.
Once established, lily-of-the-valley spreads fairly quickly via creeping rhizomes. Overtime a single plant can colonize a large area. If subjected to extended summer drought its foliage will die back prematurely.
lily-of-the-valley is adapted to woodlands, so it prefers full to partial shade and organic-rich soil. It looks best planted beneath trees in woodland gardens, foundation plantings or along shaded slopes.
9 - 1
4 - 8
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Perennial
Partial Shade, Full Shade
4"-8" / 10.2cm - 20.3cm (6)
Spring, Late Spring
Europe, Asia
Acidic, Neutral
Fast
Average Water
Mat-forming
Spring, Summer, Fall
White, Light Pink
Orange Red
Green, Dark Green
Green, Yellow Green
Yes
No
Coarse
Cutflower, Foundation, Groundcover
Sometimes
Birds
© 2006-2012 Preferred Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
