Lily of the valley: flowers, varieties & toxicity
The fragrant lily of the valley symbolises sincerity, humility and purity. Convallaria majalis adorns gardens with troves of dainty flowers in spring, and there are a number of beautiful varieties to choose from.
If you detect a strong, fresh, flowery scent while walking through the woods in spring, take a closer look at the undergrowth. With a bit of luck, you will notice small, white, bell-shaped flowers on long stems. These are likely lilies of the valley. Read on to learn all about lily of the valley, including its flowering time, varieties and more.
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Lily of the valley: origin and characteristics
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), also known as May bells, Our Lady’s tears or Mary’s tears, is the only species in its genus. It belongs to the asparagus family known as Asparagaceae. These plants are native throughout much of Europe, where they are mostly found in beech and oak forests. In southern Europe, they are usually only found in mountainous regions. Some varieties of lily of the valley have also been naturalised in North America. They generally grow in shaded or semi-shaded locations.
Lilies of the valley are hardy, matforming perennials that can be used as a groundcover. These plants grow from 15 to 30cm tall and typically have two or three large, dark green, elliptical to lanceolate leaves. Lily of the valley flowers are white, very fragrant and bell-shaped and grow in clusters. Whilst these do not produce nectar, the ovaries inside the flowers are rich in sap, which bees and other pollinators can extract as food. When fertilised, the flowers bear red berries which are poisonous, albeit highly ornamental. As geophytes, lilies of the valley have underground rhizomes that act as storage organs, storing water and energy. The plants spread quickly using these rhizomes, and are considered a somewhat invasive species.
Lily of the valley’s meaning & symbolism: in the past, medical doctors were often pictured with lily of the valley flowers, as the flowers also symbolise healing. They are even found in Christian teachings, where they symbolise chaste love, humility and modesty. And in floriography (the language of flowers), lily of the valley is associated with the return to happiness.
When do lilies of the valley bloom?
Lilies of the valley flower from March to June. During this time, the plants and their white flower clusters exude an intensely sweet scent. A bouquet of these flowers makes a lovely Mother’s Day gift. But bear in mind that in some countries, like Austria for instance, lilies of the valley are now protected and are not allowed to be picked from the wild.
Lily of the valley look-alikes
Although aromatic, these herbaceous perennials are toxic and, unfortunately, easily confused with edible look-alikes. Lily of the valley leaves resemble those of the likewise poisonous autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) and edible wild garlic (Allium ursinum). Additionally, each of these plants grows in the shady, herb-rich undergrowth of deciduous and mixed forests, increasing the likelihood of confusion. One way to differentiate between the three is by taking a closer look at the leaves. The undersides of lily of the valley leaves are shiny, while those of wild garlic are not. Autumn crocus leaves are shiny on both sides and altogether narrower. See our article on identifying wild garlic to learn more about how to correctly distinguish edible wild garlic from poisonous look-alikes.
As for the flowers, scented Solomon’s seals (Polygonatum odoratum) could also be confused with the lily of the valley flowers. However, scented Solomon’s seal leaves grow alternately and along the entire shoot, whereas those of the lily of the valley grow opposite and only at the base of the stem.
Lily of the valley species and varieties
Many varieties bear white flowers, but there are also some pink lilies of the valley and ones with contrasting leaf colours. All varieties listed here have green leaves.
- ‘Albostriata’: white flowers and green leaves with white pinstripes
- ‘FlorePleno’: white or cream-coloured double flowers
- ‘Fortins Giant’: large, white flowers on long stems
- ‘Grandiflora’: large,strongly-scented, white flowers
- ‘Haldon Grange’: white flowers, green leaves with yellow margins, vigorous
- ‘Hardwick Hall’: white flowers, dark green leaves with white margins
- ‘Hofheim’: white flowers, green leaves with margins that turn from yellow to white
- ‘Lineata’: white flowers, green leaves with yellow pinstripes
- ‘Prolificans’: white double flowers, less spreading than other varieties
- ‘Rosea’: small, delicate pink flowers
- ‘Striata’: white flowers, green leaves with yellow pinstripes
Tip: lily of the valley can be propagated either by seed or by dividing the plant’s rhizomes. A potting soil such as our Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost is ideal for both methods. Learn more about propagating and caring for lily of the valley in our article all about planting lily of the valley.
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Removing lily of the valley
Lily of the valley reproduces quickly by itself and can be invasive. The plant spreads underground via rhizomes and is able to form large carpets within just a few years. Although these lily of the valley carpets are a feast for the eyes, they may grow in inconvenient places. Keep reading to learn how to remove lily of the valley correctly and sustainably.
Digging up
If lilies of the valley are sprouting in unwanted places, the best way to remove them is to dig them up. It is important to do this carefully and thoroughly, as new plants will grow from any rhizomes you miss. Use a digging fork instead of a spade for better results.
Tip: remember that lily of the valley is poisonous, so it is best to always wear gloves when handling these plants.
To prevent lilies of the valley from sprouting anew from any leftover rhizomes, cover the affected area plus an additional 30cm buffer zone around the area with landscaping cloth, cardboard, a tarp, or several layers of moistened newspapers. Then, add a layer of mulch or gravel to keep the bottom layer in place. Allow this to sit for at least one growing season, after which any leftover lily of the valley plant parts should have expired.
Remove old flowers
Another way to prevent spreading is to remove the wilted flowers immediately after flowering. This prevents the plants from propagating themselves by self-seeding. Dispose of the wilted flower heads, seeds and rhizomes in your household bin; do not put them in your home compost, as they can still sprout anew there.
Rhizome barriers
If you want to plant lilies of the valley in your garden but want to prevent them from spreading, use rhizome barriers right from the start. Place the barriers around the planting area to prevent the plants from spreading uncontrollably. Pond liners are an alternative to rhizome barriers. Simply bury these at a depth of about 20cm.
Planting competitive perennials, such as woodland grasses or ferns, around lilies of the valley can also prevent them from spreading.
Tip: the variety ‘Prolificans’ is considered less prolific. They are a great option for gardeners who want to keep lilies of the valley but do not want the hassle of containing them.
Medicinal uses
Powders and extracts made from lilies of the valley are used in medicine. All parts of the plant, except the berries, contain cardiac glycosides, which can be used to treat mild heart failure. The effects are rapid and easily controlled by professionals. Dried lily of the valley flowers are also used in sneezing powders.
Caution: every part of the lily of the valley is poisonous and, therefore, not suitable for self-medication.
