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Convallaria majalis (Lily of the valley)

Other names: Conval lily, Word lily, Mayflower, Mugget, Liriconfancy, May bells, May lily, Our lady's tears, Lady's tears

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Species
C. majalis is a vigorous, spreading, rhizomatous perennial with paired, elliptic to narrowly ovate, dark green leaves and, from late spring to early summer, upright, leafless stems bear erect to arching racemes of fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers followed by red fruit.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
0.25 m 0.5 m 2-5 years
0 ft 1 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Shade
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • North
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant in fertile, humus-rich moist soil in full or part shade. Mulch with leaf mould in autumn.

Suggested uses

Ground Cover, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Underplanting

UK hardiness

H7

USDA zones

Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7

Sunset zone

A1, A2, A3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Moderate/Medium
Central Valley = Moderate/Medium
South Coastal = Inappropriate
South Inland = Inappropriate
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Spreading, Clump-forming, Erect flower stem

Native to

Northern temperate regions

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

The flowers are scented

Toxicity

Highly toxic if eaten.

Plant care

Pruning

If desired, remove faded or dead foliage in autumn.

Propagation methods

Seed, Division

Propagation

Sow seeds in containers in a cold frame when ripe. Remove flesh from seed before sowing. Generally, seeds are slow to germinate and seedlings are slow to grow. Best method of propagation is division.

Pests

Diseases

Leaf spot

Divide and replant after flowering

Plant in fertile, moisture retentive soil

Remove faded or dead foliage (optional)

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Plant in partial or full shade (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (12)

Convallaria

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Convallaria majalis var. rosea
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Convallaria majalis var. rosea Pink lily of the valley
Convallaria majalis 'Albostriata'
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Convallaria majalis 'Albostriata' Lily of the Valley 'Albostriata'
Convallaria majalis 'Bordeaux'
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Convallaria majalis 'Bordeaux' Lily of the valley 'Bordeaux'
Convallaria majalis
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Convallaria majalis Lily of the valley
Convallaria majalis 'Geant de Fortin'
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Convallaria majalis 'Geant de Fortin' Lily of the valley 'Geant de Fortin'
Convallaria majalis 'Vic Pawlowski's Gold'
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Convallaria majalis 'Vic Pawlowski's Gold' Lily of the Valley 'Vic Pawlowski's Gold'
Convallaria majalis 'Hofheim'
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Convallaria majalis 'Hofheim' Lily of the Valley 'Hofheim'
Convallaria majalis 'Fernwood's Golden Slippers'
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Convallaria majalis 'Fernwood's Golden Slippers' Lily of the Valley 'Fernwood's Golden Slippers'
Convallaria keiskei
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Convallaria keiskei Asian lily of the valley
Convallaria majalis 'Haldon Grange'
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Convallaria majalis 'Haldon Grange' Lily of the Valley 'Haldon Grange'
Convallaria majalis 'Variegata'
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Convallaria majalis 'Variegata' Lily of the Valley 'Variegata'
Convallaria majalis 'Prolificans'
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Convallaria majalis 'Prolificans' Lily of the Valley 'Prolificans''
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Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Convallaria majalis with other Shoot members

Convallaria majalis

Shoot User
1021 0
The flowers are much favoured for use in wedding bouquets. They are pollinated by bees. Lily-of-the-valley produces round, bright red poisonous berries. Majalis means 'that which belongs to May', the month in which the plant comes into flower.
Posted: Saturday 6th of June 2009 10:28 AM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 03:05 PM

Perfume from flowers

Nicola
860 0
This plant is used by Laurie Chetwood and Patrick Collins in their Perfume Garden for Chelsea Flower Show 2009. They say 'Perfume is extracted from flowers. Used in many perfumes.'
Posted: Saturday 9th of May 2009 11:51 AM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 03:53 PM
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