Lily of the Valley

Lily of the valley is one of the landscape's toughest plants, capable of withstanding challenges that would kill more timid ground covers. It blooms in the spring and early summer—usually May. The stems are covered with tiny white, nodding bell-shaped flowers that have a sweet perfume. Green berries may succeed the blossoms, later ripening to red or orange. The plant does, however, have its drawbacks, as it is toxic to animals and humans and has the reputation for being an invasive species.

Not a true lily, it is botanically called Convallaria majalis, which means "May valley" and it is part of the asparagus family. Lilies are so widely adored that the name has been loosely applied to many other plants, creating confusion for beginning gardeners.

Botanical Name: Convallaria majalis

Common Name: Lily of the valley, May bells, Mary's tears

Native mostly to Eurasia, lily of the valley plants can be grown in planting zones 2 to 9. This puts them among the hardiest of perennials. When you buy some to plant them in your yard, they usually come as bulbous roots called "pips."

Plant them in a mostly shaded to partially shaded area (morning sun only). Grow them in well-drained, loamy soil for best results, although the plants do tolerate clay soil better than many. Amend the soil with compost.

Lily of the valley flowers prefer moist, cool conditions. The shade requirement needs to be taken more seriously the further south you get in their range. The plants will generally survive in the North from whatever rainfall you receive, but you will get better flowering if you give them water during dry periods.

To be enjoyed to their fullest, the plants should be massed together (the flowers being small). The plant is also used in rock gardens and moon gardens, for cut flowers and weddings, and in medicines and perfumes. Another nice thing about this ground cover is that it is deer-tolerant, rabbit-tolerant, and likes growing under trees.

Light

The plant grows well in part shade to full shade, as well as sun-dappled shade.

Soil

It is easily grown in moist, fertile, organically rich, well-drained soils and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including dry and clay soils. Mulch to maintain soil moisture throughout the summer. Because these plants prefer rich soil, apply compost each fall.

Water

Water the lily of the valley when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil becomes dry. Avoid wetting the plants' foliage if possible. Water during morning hours so if foliage gets wet it has time to dry before nightfall. Do not allow the soil to become overly saturated.

Despite their delicate appearance, sweet-smelling lily of the valley is a tough little plant that can easily be divided and transplanted. Sprigs propagated in September and October reward you with eager regrowth the following spring and the sweetest smelling blooms in your garden in May. As an invasive plant species, it can easily double its numbers each year. The plants spread via underground stolons and rhizomes.

Divide each lily of the valley plant every 2 to 4 years, or when the plant becomes crowded or outgrows its landscape area. When transplanting, create divisions that each contains a healthy rhizome and stems. Replant the divisions at the plant's previous growing depth, spacing individual divisions 24 inches apart.

This plant establishes a colony. And once it does, it is difficult to eradicate it. If you try digging it out, the smallest root left behind will produce more plants. One option, after digging out everything that you can, is to cover the affected area with a tarp for a year or so. Afterward, remove any stubborn holdovers that surface.