Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis
Lily of the Valley is a bulb for edging, groundcover, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay, loam or acid soil, flowering Apr, May.
| Type | Bulb |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 20 cm |
| Spread | 30 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 3a-8a, RHS H7 |
| Pollinator-friendly | No |
| Pet-safe | No |
Where to use it in a border
At around 20 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 30 cm of room to spread, roughly 3 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 8a and rated H7 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, acid soil.
Border Builder uses Lily of the Valley's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
- Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Astilbe 'Fanal'to flower when it does not
- Astilbe 'Visions'to edge in front
- Bigleaf Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'for height behind it
- Bleeding Heartfor height behind it
- Blue Windflowerto edge in front
- Bugbane 'Black Negligee'for height behind it