Lily-of-the-valley Convallaria majalis

Lily of the valley is a rhizomatous perennial in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family native to Eurasia.  This groundcover grows to a height of 10 inches and a spread of 1 to 2 feet with lush green leaves and delicate, fragrant bell shaped white flowers.

Plant in dappled to partial shade to full shade areas in moist organically rich soil.  It is tolerant of summer drought and heavy clay or dry soils and is resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits.  Plant at a depth of 3 inches to the base of the rhizome with 15 to 25 plants per square foot and top with mulch every fall.. If you wish to enjoy the bright red berries then genetically different plants must be placed in proximity of each other to promote cross pollination.

Propagate by division in the fall or by seed.  In ideal growing conditions, though they grow slowly, their dense rhizomes can spread and choke out other plants.  

Use this ground cover in shady areas, planted under shrubs, in the fronts of beds, in rock, cottage, or woodland gardens.  The flowers make an excellent addition to bouquets, so consider planting these in the front of a cutting garden.  It resists erosion so can be planted along a slope.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Few to no insect problems.  Leaf spot may occur.  They naturalize easily and it is reported as invasive in WI and AK and may become weedy and aggressive in regions with moist, cool, winter climates.  Native alternatives should be considered, see the left column for recommendations.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.