False Lily-of-the-Valley

Maianthemum dilatatum

False Lily-of-the-Valley is a perennial for groundcover, suited to shade and partial shade and clay, loam, acid soil or moist ground, flowering Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Where to use it in a border

At around 30 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 60 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 6a to 9b and rated H6 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, acid soil, wet soil, pollinator-friendly plants.

Border Builder uses False 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 copes with ground that stays wet, which most border plants will not.
• 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.
• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Bugleto edge in front
• Cascade Oregon Grapeto edge in front
• Cinnamon Fernfor height behind it
• Common Yellow Azaleafor height behind it
• Creeping Phloxto edge in front
• Creeping Phlox 'Sherwood Purple'to edge in front

Garden styles

Shade cottage Wildlife garden Woodland