lily of the valley
Convallaria majalis
RHS AGM 1993
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size6 to 12 inches tall9 to 12 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
- Toxicity
- Toxic to pets
Garden uses
Notes
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a bulb for ground cover, shade gardens, woodland plantings, and cottage gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to wet, loamy or clay soil. Fragrant white flowers open in early to late spring above green leaves that grow 6 to 12 inches tall. Deer and rabbits tend to pass it by. It is toxic to pets.
Pairs well with Sum and Substance hosta, Christmas fern, and Eastern columbine.
Native range
Asia.