Lily Of The Valley

Convallaria Majalis - Lily of the Valley

The History

Symbolism of the Lily of the Valley

Medical Purposes

It has been used for centuries in medicine: one of its active compounds‚ convallatoxin‚ is still used to treat heart failure and other heart disorders․ It is also very common as a fragrance ingredient in perfumes and fragrance oils with sweet but subtle scents‚ and is often used in expensive perfumes and luxury skin treatments․ Benefits This is a gorgeous and fragrant plant with a wealth of history and meaning‚ and whether you use it for ornamental value in your landscape‚ medicinal purposes‚ or perfumery‚ you will enjoy this beautiful flower․ The plant has arching green stems with bell-shaped flowers that appear white or pale pink (albeit with some variation)‚ and red or orange inedible berries․ The plant has been popular in cultivation‚ even despite its toxicity‚ for its bushy habit‚ aromatic scent and its ability to act as a ground cover plant in darker locations under larger plants․ In cultivation‚ it prefers a wet‚ shaded‚ well-drained position‚ but is tolerant of alkaline‚ acid and neutral soils․ It can be grown in gardens under other standard plants such as roses and shrubs or in the open garden․ In the Northern Hemisphere‚ including America‚ China and Japan‚ it grows from June to September‚ but it can be sown in any month from January to December․ To propagate Lily of the Valley‚ clumps of plants taken up in the autumn months (September to November) may be replanted on the same site after the roots have been divided․ Seeds may also be sown in pots or trays in a cold frame or greenhouse․ Although its ingestion is considered highly toxic to animals and humans‚ the flowers are typically associated with happy‚ sweet‚ and pleasant feelings or desires․ It has white (or sometimes pink) bell-shaped tepals and blooms in late spring or mild winter (in the Northern Hemisphere)․ It has several leafy shoots and can colonize from a single plant․ Lily of the Valley is commonly grown in horticulture for its fragrance․ It is hardy in USDA Zone 3․

Benefits

This is a gorgeous and fragrant plant with a wealth of history and meaning‚ and whether you use it for ornamental value in your landscape‚ medicinal purposes‚ or perfumery‚ you will enjoy this beautiful flower․

The plant has arching green stems with bell-shaped flowers that appear white or pale pink (albeit with some variation)‚ and red or orange inedible berries․

To propagate Lily of the Valley‚ clumps of plants taken up in the autumn months (September to November) may be replanted on the same site after the roots have been divided․ Seeds may also be sown in pots or trays in a cold frame or greenhouse․

Although its ingestion is considered highly toxic to animals and humans‚ the flowers are typically associated with happy‚ sweet‚ and pleasant feelings or desires․

Plant bare-root stock as soon as it arrives, in well-drained soil with full to partial sun unless noted otherwise above. Water deeply once a week during the first growing season to establish a strong root system.

Dug and shipped bare-root during your zone's dormant window, packed to arrive fresh. Every order is backed by our first-season establishment guarantee — we'll replace it for you.