How to Grow and Care for Lily of the valley

Lily of the valley, also known as May bells, Our lady's tears, Mary's tears, Jacob's ladder, May lily

Lily of the valley thrives in well-drained, rich soil with partial to full shade. It requires consistent moisture but is intolerant of waterlogging. Special care should focus on its invasive nature; containment strategies may be necessary to prevent lily of the valley from overtaking other plants in the garden.

Watering schedule: Every week

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun

Toxic to Human & Pets

In This Article

Planting and Growing Lily of the valley

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every week
Sunlight Requirements	Partial sun
Soil Type	Potting Mix, Garden Soil
Soil pH	5.5-7
Planting Time	Spring
Hardiness Zones	4-9
Toxicity	Toxic to Human & Pets

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Varieties of Lily of the valley

Lily of the valley 'Bordeaux'

Named after the famous French wine-growing region, lily of the valley 'Bordeaux' is an attractive flowering plant that differs from its parent with larger flowers that are suspended on stems above the leaves, rather than between them. The flowers are exceptionally fragrant and this plant is a sturdy grower which is useful for ground cover in ornamental gardens.

Lily of the valley 'Albostriata'

Lily of the valley 'Albostriata' is a cultivated variety of Lily of the valley. Unlike other plants in the genus, it has variegated leaves. The creamy-gold stripe on the green leaves makes it a popular choice in early spring gardens. Lily of the valley 'Albostriata' is aptly named the Striped Lily of the Valley. The first syllable "albo" refers to the stripe's light color and "striata" to the leaves' strips.

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The Toxicity of Lily of the valley

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More General Info About Lily of the valley

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Lily of the valley is distinguished by its low height, reaching up to 10 inches (25 cm), and spreads across 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm). The foliage is a vibrant green with broad leaves, from which emanate clusters of alluring, pendulous bell-shaped flowers. These blossoms are characteristically fragrant and brilliant white, enhancing the plant's subtle charm as a groundcover species.