Lily of the Valley - Convallaria majalis - is a genus of 3 species of old-fashioned rhizomatous perennials that look so delicate with their tiny bell-shaped, fragrant, mostly white flowers that is found in light woodland, scrub or alpine meadows in North temperated regions. It is one of the few perennials, fully hardy, that can grow in the deep shade of large trees and shrubs but also makes a good choice in small contained spaces.

It is used to be grown in a wild or woodland garden or as a groundcover in a damp, shady border as they can spread quickly by underground stems. Although each plant only has two or three wide and glossy leaves, it makes a beautiful ground cover in masses. Even after the spring blooms fade, the leaves remain beautiful until fall and cover the areas where they were planted.

It is a good idea to plant Lilies-of-the-Valley along a walkway or in raised containers which you regularly pass by, so you can enjoy their strong fragrance every time you pass by.

Grow Lilies-of-the-Valley in areas that are moist and well drained, in full or partial shade, in leafy, fertile humus-rich, moist soil. In autumn top-dress them with leaf mold.

If you want to propagate them sow seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as they ripe, removing the flesh from the seeds before sowing them. You can also propagate Lily-of-the-Valley by separating the rhizomes in autumn, keeping them moist until established.

If you want a fragrant indoor display just lift and pot up some rhizomes in autumn and force them gently or allow them to grow at their own pace. Replant them out after flowering.

An important note: All parts of Lilly-of-the-Valley are poisonous if ingested, so be careful about their attractive, fleshy berries that appear after flowering and can be ingested by children. A better way is to remove berry stalks before they ripen.