Convallaria majalis aka Lily Of The Valley
Taxonomy
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a perennial plant native to the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe, and North America. This herbaceous plant has spreading rhizomes and can reach a height of 30cm. It features ovate green leaves and produces fragrant, bell-shaped, white waxy flowers in late spring. The flowers are followed by round red berries in autumn, which are enjoyed by birds. Lily of the valley is known for its sweet scent and is sometimes used as an ingredient in perfumes. However, it is highly poisonous if consumed by humans or animals due to the concentration of cardiac glycosides. Other names for this plant include May bells, Our Lady's tears, and Mary's tears. In pre-modern England, it was referred to as glovewort or Apollinaris. With proper care, you can also cultivate this beautiful flowering plant at home.
Common names
Lily Of The Valley, European Lily Of The ValleyHow to care for Lily Of The Valley
Difficulty
Lily Of The Valley presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.
Water
Lily Of The Valley should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Lily Of The Valley loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it's common for Lily Of The Valley to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Lily Of The Valley is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
Region of origin
Lily Of The Valley’s native range is Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia to Spain east to N.E. Asia, Greece and the Caucasus.
More info:
Wikipedia
