Lily of the Valley Plant

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) became Finland's national flower in 1967. We ship bare-root lily of the valley in packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500, for shade beds, tree bases and woodland edges.

Lily of the Valley Size, Zones and Shade

Stems reach 6 to 14 inches and carry two leaves, sometimes three, each 2 to 8 inches long. The plant grows best in partial shade with humus-rich soil, and it grows in both acidic and alkaline ground. It is hardy in zones 3-9.

Flowers and Fragrance

Sweetly scented white bells hang in one-sided sprays of six to twelve in late spring. The scent is linked to a compound called bourgeonal, and perfumes such as Diorissimo use a synthetic version because the flower cannot be extracted. Orange-red berries about 5 to 7 millimeters wide follow and can stay on the plant for about seven weeks.

Spread and Ground Cover

Underground rhizomes and stolons spread into dense colonies. A colony grown from a single clone does not set seed, so berries appear when two clones grow together. See our guide to low maintenance shade ground covers.

Good to Know About Lily of the Valley

The whole plant is poisonous because of its cardiac glycosides, and the bright berries can attract children. Pick a bed away from play areas and pet paths. The rhizomes keep moving outward, so a bed with a firm edge holds the colony in place. Plants that share its shade are covered in six perennials for planting under trees.

Lily of the Valley Packs and Shipping

Lily of the valley ships bare-root now, in packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500. Volume pricing available. Browse more perennials for sale.