Convallaria majalis – Lily-of-the-valley –

Description

Convallaria – Lily-of-the-valley – There are about 3 species considered to be 1 variable species, of rhizomatous perennials, in this genus. They occur in light woodland, scrub, or alpine meadows in from France to Siberia and North America. They have pointed, oval to elliptic leaves. Slender, arching flowering stems carry nodding, little bell shaped, fragrant, mostly white flowers. Flowers are followed by red berries used in medicine but are poisonous. Grow in a woodland garden or use as a groundcover in a damp, shady border. Grow in leafy, fertile, humus rich, moist soil in full sun to full shade. Top dress with leaf mold in autumn. Prone to anthracnose, white mold, and gray mold. C. majalis – This vigorous, rhizomatous perennial from Northern temperate region grows 8-12″ tall with an indefinite spread. It produces tough, slender, creeping, branching rhizomes which sprout pairs of ovate-lance shaped to elliptic, dark green, stalked, hairless, basal leaves, 1 ½-8″ long. Arching racemes of pendent, perfumed, spherical, bell shaped, waxy white flowers, to ½” across are carried on leafless stems in spring. Zones 3-8