While I study plant biotechnology, I often think about how bad it is for nature when people don’t know enough about it or spread false information. That is why I am so passionate about bringing people and nature closer together again. Favourite fruit: raspberries, strawberries and pineapple Favourite vegetables: courgettes, broccoli and cucumbers.
The fragrant lily of the valley symbolises sincerity, humility and purity. There are many pretty types of Convallaria majalis flowers that bloom in the spring and add a lot of beauty to gardens.
If, as you walk through the woods in the spring, you smell something strong, fresh, and flowery, look more closely at the undergrowth. With a bit of luck, you will notice small, white, bell-shaped flowers on long stems. These are likely lilies of the valley. Read on to learn all about lily of the valley, including its flowering time, varieties and more.
The lily of the valley is a beloved spring flower known for its delicate, nodding white bell-shaped blooms and sweet scent. Though beautiful, the lily of the valley can be invasive in some regions. If you love the look of lily of the valley but want an alternative, several plants mimic the charm and grace of this classic flower.
Snowdrops
Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are one of the earliest flowers to bloom each spring. These low-growing bulbs produce nodding white bell-shaped blooms on short stalks just above grass-like foliage, bearing a strong resemblance to lily of the valley. Snowdrops grow 4-6 inches tall and thrive in full sun to partial shade. Plant them in sweeping drifts or under trees for a delicate early spring display.
Spring Snowflake
Closely related to snowdrops, spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) offers a similar look with larger blooms In early spring, stalks of pendant, bell-shaped white flowers tipped with yellow emerge above grassy foliage Spring snowflake reaches about 10 inches tall. Site it in full sun to part shade in areas with moist soil. Use it in drifts, borders or woodland settings.
Japanese Pieris
Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica) is an evergreen shrub prized for its early spring blooms Clusters of small, white or pink bell-shaped flowers dangle from the branches in late winter for an effect reminiscent of lily of the valley New foliage emerges reddish-bronze before maturing to glossy green. Japanese pieris likes partial sun and moist, acidic soil. Use it in foundations, hedges or shrub borders.
Ladybells
Ladybells (Adenophora bulleyana) produce many dangling, bell-shaped blooms in a pretty periwinkle blue atop upright stalks in late spring and early summer. The mounded plants reach 1-3 feet tall. Ladybells thrive in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Plant them in sweeping drifts, prairie gardens or perennial borders. Some ladybell species bear white blooms.
Fetterbush
Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) is a graceful, compact evergreen shrub. In spring, slightly fragrant white or blush pink bell-shaped blooms dangle from the arching branches. Fetterbush grows 3-6 feet tall and wide, preferring partial shade and moist acidic soil. Use it in woodland gardens, pond edges or hedges, but note that it is toxic if ingested.
Twinflower
Twinflower (Linnaea borealis) is a creeping evergreen perennial with pairs of small, nodding pink and white bell-shaped blooms. This charming plant stays under 6 inches tall, spreading by rhizomes to form an attractive ground cover. Twinflower thrives in partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. It works well in rock gardens, woodland settings and shady lawns.
Peach-Leaved Bellflower
Peach-leaved bellflower (Campanula persicifolia) produces many upright stalks of blue, white or purple bell-shaped blooms above mounds of green foliage in summer. It reaches 1-3 feet tall and spreads 1-2 feet wide. Peach-leaved bellflower prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Use it in cottage gardens, borders or cutting gardens.
Squirrel Corn
Squirrel corn (Dicentra canadensis) offers an early spring display of delicate white, heart-shaped blooms on arching stems above lacy blue-green foliage. This ephemeral wildflower goes dormant after blooming. It reaches about 10 inches tall, spreading by rhizomes. Squirrel corn thrives in dappled shade and moist, rich soil. Plant it in woodland gardens or native plantings.
Swamp Doghobble
Swamp doghobble (Leucothoe racemosa) is a deciduous shrub with drooping chains of small white bell-shaped blooms that give a weeping effect. Oval, glossy green leaves turn red in fall. This moisture-loving shrub grows 3-6 feet tall. Use it in rain gardens, pond edges or woodland settings. Note that it is toxic if ingested.
The lily of the valley look is iconic but problematic in some areas. Consider these lovely alternatives for your garden to enjoy the charm without the invasiveness. With nodding blooms, spring flowers, or arching shrubs, these plants offer a similar delightful effect.
When do lilies of the valley bloom?
Lilies of the valley flower from March to June. During this time, the plants and their white flower clusters exude an intensely sweet scent. A bouquet of these flowers makes a lovely Mother’s Day gift. But keep in mind that lilies of the valley are now protected and can’t be picked from the wild in some places, like Austria.
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While I study plant biotechnology, I often think about how bad it is for nature when people don’t know enough about it or spread false information. That is why I am so passionate about bringing people and nature closer together again. Favourite fruit: raspberries, strawberries and pineapple Favourite vegetables: courgettes, broccoli and cucumbers.
The fragrant lily of the valley symbolises sincerity, humility and purity. There are many pretty types of Convallaria majalis flowers that bloom in the spring and add a lot of beauty to gardens.
If, as you walk through the woods in the spring, you smell something strong, fresh, and flowery, look more closely at the undergrowth. With a bit of luck, you will notice small, white, bell-shaped flowers on long stems. These are likely lilies of the valley. Read on to learn all about lily of the valley, including its flowering time, varieties and more.
How to Plant Lily of the Valley: Spring Garden Guide
FAQ
What is similar to lilies of the valley?
What is a substitute for Lily of the Valley?
Is False Lily of the Valley invasive?
Is Leucojum the same as Lily of the Valley?
What are Lily of the valley flowers?
Lily of the Valley flowers have a rich cultural history and are associated with love, purity, and the month of May. Foxglove flowers, scientifically known as Digitalis purpurea, are tall, majestic plants that produce striking bell-shaped flowers in a range of colors, including pink, purple, and white.
What lilies grow in the valley?
There are several lily of the valley cultivars, including: ‘Rosea’ produces rosy pink flowers. ‘Flore Pleno’ is valued for its larger, double-bell flowers. ‘Fortin’s Giant’ boasts larger flowers. ‘Hardwick Hall’ is a vigorous grower with yellow chartreuse edges on the foliage. ‘Albostriata’ has an open habit and white-streaked leaves.
Is Lily of the valley a Convallaria?
Lily of the valley, says the University of Idaho’s advanced master gardener Michelle Tullis, is the Ruscaceae family’s single Convallaria species member. Other plant families, however, contain ornamental shrubs that mimic the delicate, urn-like blooms of lily of the valley. Their spring flowers coincide with convallaria’s.
How big does a lily of the valley get?
It is native to Eurasia, where it thrives amongst shady nooks. In spring, petite, intensely fragrant, snow-white blooms line the stems of the lily of the valley for several weeks. The dainty flowers mature into bright orange-red berries in the fall. At her tallest, the lily of the valley grows to be 10 inches tall.
What does Lily of the valley smell like?
Native to Europe, these delicate blooms are known for their enchanting fragrance and are often used in perfumes and cosmetics. The white, bell-shaped flowers of Lily of the Valley grow on arching stems, creating a cascading effect.
Is Lily of the valley a invasive plant?
The plant spreads quite readily, and in some areas, it can outcompete native vegetation, leading to a reduction in biodiversity. Lily of the Valley is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.