WSU Clark County Extension
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Lily of the Valley

Scientific name: Convallaria majalis
Taxonomy
Family:Liliaceae
Type:Groundcovers Herbaceus
Native:YES
Plant Requirements
Zone:3 to 8
Sun:Partial shade to full shade
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:1 ft
Width:5 ft
Bloom:Spring flowers
Bloom Time:May
Bloom Color:White
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description An excellent ground cover for shady sites beneath deciduous trees where it grows profusely to help bind the soil together. Often referred to as Lady’s Tears.

  Morphology:
Lily of the valley is a perennial, rhizomatous plant. It bears 2-3 deciduous leaves per node, which are oblong to elliptic, entire, glabrous, and up to 4”-8” long and 1”-3” wide. Leaves are at their best during the spring and summer, but by fall start to deteriorate.

Flower stalks first appear in May and last for 2-3 weeks. Flower parts form I the shape of a raceme and bear bell-shaped fragrant white flowers. Occasionally red berries form from the flowers. The berries are poisonous.

  Adaptation:
Convallaria prefers a rich, moist soil but tolerates some dryness. The best way to improve the stand establishment of Lilly of the Valley is to spread compost, leaf mold, or well-aged animal manure over the beds in the fall

  Pests:
Generally pest free.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234