Lily of the Valley / Convallaria

Lily of the Valley Description

Lily of the Valley is an excellent choice for ground cover under trees and in other shaded areas. It blooms in the spring and the flowers are bell-shaped and delicate. The flowers are fragrant and are popular with florists. Lily of the valley produces berries in the autumn but it should be noted that they are poisonous as are the roots. The leaves are are large and lance-shaped.

Convallaria is best when planted in clumps in a shaded area. It spreads rapidly by way of rhizomes under the soil. The attractive foliage that provides excellent ground cover can be somewhat unsightly as it decays in the late summer and the autumn.

Cultivation of Lily of the Valley Plants

Lily of the Valley should be grown in garden soil that contains organic matter and is moisture-retentive. Choose a site that is shaded.

Convallaria crowns should be planted at a distance of 15cm from each other with the pointed end upward and just below the surface of the soil.

To encourage continuous flowering in the following season top-dress with compost or leaf mould when the foliage withers in the autumn.

To propagate Lily of the Valley overcrowded clumps of rhizomes should be lifted, divided and replanted 15cm apart immediately

Lily of the Valley Pests and Diseases

The Rhizomes of Lily of the Valley plants may suffer attack from caterpillars. In particularly wet conditions grey mould can be also be problematic.