In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Convallaria plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
Convallaria is a hardy perennial that reaches about 20 cm in height.
A common name for Convallaria is Lily of the valley. The lily of the valley flowers are small, white or pink and bell-like; they bloom at the end of spring.
They make good plants to provide ground coverage in shady areas of the garden.
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) picture by Joost J. Bakker.
Convallaria by Anne the librarian.
If planning to grow Convallaria outdoors from seed then it should be sown out at the end of winter.
The seeds should be sown in flats, covered in compost, and have a layer of glass for protection.
If you are growing Lilies of the valley from rhizomes then they should be buried at a depth of 5 to 8 cm.
Germination can take from two months up to one year. Once seedlings have appeared they should be transplanted into individual pots.
Once the Convallaria plant appears to be growing strong they should be moved to a dedicated nursery bed for two years. After this time the perennial can be moved to its final location.
This should be a partially shaded part of the garden (Lily of the Valley will grow in full shade, but will not produce abundant flowers) with good drainage.
The plants should be spaced about 12 cm apart into an organic soil that is both moist and rich.
Once established further plants can be had by division in the autumn.
Lily of the valley plants require a lot of watering and should be fertilized at the beginning of spring (do not splash fertilizer onto the leaves). In the autumn a top dressing with leaf mold will help to protect the plant.
The plant should be divided every five years to maintain vigorous growth.
The Convallaria genus has two recognized species.
Convallaria, particularly the Lily of the Valley, is valued for its fragrant bell-shaped flowers and can be a charming addition to shaded gardens.
The most commonly grown species is Convallaria majalis, also known as Lily of the Valley.
Yes, Convallaria plants, especially Lily of the Valley, have a sweet, distinct fragrance that is highly valued in gardens.
Convallaria plants thrive in part to full shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Currently, Convallaria majalis is considered invasive in some parts of the northeastern USA due to its fast spread in forests and gardens.
Convallaria can be removed by digging up the entire plant, including the roots, and ensuring no root pieces remain as they can regrow.
The Convallaria genus, part of the Asparagaceae family, is native to Europe, North Asia, and North America. The most known species, Convallaria majalis, also known as lily of the valley, is a perennial plant recognized for its broad, glossy leaves and nodding, bell-shaped white flowers that bloom in spring, which are often highly fragrant.
To grow Convallaria, plant them in a shaded location with moist, well-drained soil. They can be grown from rhizomes planted in autumn or spring. Regular watering is necessary. Due to their creeping habit and tolerance of shade, they are often used as ground cover, in woodland gardens, or as cut flowers for their attractive, fragrant blooms.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Convallaria plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Grassnut and Muscari plants.