Lily of the valley, every so
often written lily-of-the-valley, actually its scientific name is “Convallaria
majalis” is a pleasantly scented, highly toxic woodland flowering plant that is
native throughout the cold temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia, and Europe. It
is perhaps the only species in the genus Convallaria. It was previously placed
in its own family Convallariaceae, and, like a lot of lilioid monocots, before
that in the lily family Liliaceae.
Well, most people recognize the
little white, bell like flowers of this plant. Even the fragrance is unmistakable.
The flowers are indeed beautiful and naturalized in the right setting, lily of
the valley is a useful ground cover, but it can be a disappointment if it is in
the wrong place. The leaves two emerge to embrace each flower stalk are not
evergreen but start to turn brown in late summer and cannot be walked on at
all.
The roots are quite invasive
interfering with the growth of everything else it all its own. The plants
produce orange berries after the flowers, but the berries are not profuse. The
variety Rosea is pink. Plants are hardy and if you want to grow Lily of valley
then it does better in part or full shade than it does in sun and will tolerate
even dense shade. It likes a fertile, moist soil. Plants can be divided easily
for propagation. If your bed is flowering poorly, divide and replant or donate
the excess to your favorite charity. Lily of the valley is a good plant for a
Mother’s Day fundraiser.
