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Convallaria majalis (Lily of the valley)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.25m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Convallaria majalis
Other names
Lily of the valley, Conval lily, Word lily, Mayflower, Mugget, Liriconfancy, May bells, May lily, Our lady's tears, Lady's tears
Genus
Convallaria Convallaria
Species
C. majalis - 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.
Convallaria majalis is: Deciduous
Fragrance
The flowers are scented
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem, Spreading
Toxicity
Highly toxic if eaten.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Leaf spot Leaf spot
General care
Pruning
If desired, remove faded or dead foliage in autumn.
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.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the valley) will reach a height of 0.25m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Underplanting
Cultivation
Plant in fertile, humus-rich moist soil in full or part shade. Mulch with leaf mould in autumn.
Soil type
Loamy, Clay
Soil drainage
Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Convallaria majalis
Other names
Lily of the valley, Conval lily, Word lily, Mayflower, Mugget, Liriconfancy, May bells, May lily, Our lady's tears, Lady's tears
Genus
Convallaria Convallaria
Species
C. majalis - 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.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
The flowers are scented
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem, Spreading
Toxicity
Highly toxic if eaten.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
If desired, remove faded or dead foliage in autumn.
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.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the valley) will reach a height of 0.25m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Underplanting
Cultivation
Plant in fertile, humus-rich moist soil in full or part shade. Mulch with leaf mould in autumn.
Soil type
Loamy, Clay
Soil drainage
Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3, Zone 2
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Clay | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Convallaria majalis
Perfume from flowers
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