Friday, April 27, 2012

Lily of the Valley, Deciduous Perennial of The Day



Convallaria majalis
    Lily of the Valley

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    2B to 7B
Height    6" to 8" / 15cm to 20cm
Growth rate    Fast
Form    Spreading or horizontal
Exposure    Full shade to partial sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    White
Bloom Time    Spring

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green
Fall Color    No change in fall color

Culture Notes
A low maintenance ground cover that is commonly grown under trees because of its drought resistance.  Plants should be gently divided in early spring.  Hard-to-find pink and double forms exist.  All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.  However, its flowers have become a traditional part of a bridal bouquet, and the leaves can be used to make pale greenish-yellow or gold dye.