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Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley, May bells)

Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

(Based on 1 user review)

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name:Convallaria majalis Common Name: Lily of the Valley, May bells

Lily of the valley's bell-shaped, sweetly scented flowers bloom in early spring. It likes partial to full shade and is perfect for a woodland garden. It may not be the best choice for your beds and borders because it tends to spread, but it is a perfect ground cover if you have a large shady spot under some trees.
Noteworthy characteristics: All parts of this plant are poisonous. And they are deer resistant!
Care: Grow in an area that gets shade for at least half the day. Mulch to make sure the soil stays moist. Divide if flowers become sparse.
Propagation:

By division.

Problems:

Sometimes stem rot.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

Height	6 in. to 12 in.
Spread	1 ft. to 3 ft.;6 in. to 12 in.
Growth Habit	Spreads
Growth Pace	Moderate Grower
Light	Part Shade to Full Shade
Moisture	Medium Moisture
Maintenance	Low
Tolerance	Deer Tolerant
Characteristics	Attracts Bees; Attracts Birds; Attracts Butterflies; Fragrant Flowers; Native; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time	Early Spring; Spring
Uses	Beds and Borders, Shade, Ground Covers, Cut Flower, Naturalizing
Style	Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest	Spring Interest
Type	Perennials

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posted by judgehort
1/25/2010
Region: Northeast
Zone: 7

I have never had an area of Convallaria that I considered full enough to create a focus, however brief; however, I will concede that the perfume, alone, is enough to make growing it worthwhile. It really must be put into an area where it can wander alone for a distance. I once, foolishly, added some to a shade garden where they pushed their way through everything [until they met an untimely end].

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