Product Description
Convallaria majallisCommon Name: lily of the valley, European lily of the valley.
Zones 3 to 8.
PM Shade to Full Shade.
Plants reach 6 to 8 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide;
Low-growing clumps of foliage spread to form an attractive ground cover.
Growth rate: rapid, herbaceous rhizomatous perennial ground cover.
Lily of the valley has very dainty white, bell-shaped flowers which are very sweet smelling and bloom in early to mid spring. A long-lived perennial, Convallaria majallis spreads rapidly to create dense foliage clumps. If thick patches are flowering poorly, divide rhizomes to reduce overcrowding.
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil; but grows best in fertile soil. May enter dormancy in late summer or early fall, sometimes before the first frost. Requiring little maintenance, if Lily of the valley foliage yellows or dries out after flowering, remove leaves and mulch well for a fresh crop next spring.
Attributes: Cut flowers, Mass planting in lightly shaded woodland areas can be left alone to naturalize. Attracts butterflies. Deer resistant.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
