Botanical Name: Convallaria majalis
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Common Name: Lily of the Valley  
Plant photo of: Convallaria majalis
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial, Bulb

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green, Dark Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

Orange

 

Fruit Season

Fall

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate, Slow

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Invasive, Poisonous

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Native Garden, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Walkways

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Filler, Mass Planting, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: JJ Neilson Arboretum

  • Description

  • Notes

This perennial bulb is ideal in dry shade. Lily of the Valley has very dainty, white, fragrant, bell-shaped flowers around April. The leaves are strap-like, dark, leathery green, and about 9" long and 4" across. In time, the bulbs multiply and spread. A lovely cut flower. An excellent ground cover, even under densely shading trees. Grows about 6 to 12" tall and wide.
Like many other hardy bulbs, Lily of the Valley does best in soils that drain well, have some organic content, and are dry-ish in the summer and fall. Does well in part to full shade. Foliage persists all summer and fall, until a hard frost. All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.