Lily-of-the-valley

Lily-of-the-valley is a rhizomatous perennial propagated by dividing rhizomes in fall or by direct-sowing seed. Set rhizome crowns about 3 inches deep, spacing roughly 15 to 25 plants per square foot (about 10 to 14 inches apart), and top with mulch each autumn.

Siting: It grows in dappled, partial, or full shade in moist, organically rich soil, though established plantings tolerate summer drought, heavy clay, and dry soils. Growth starts slowly, but the dense rhizome mat can spread widely enough under good conditions to crowd out neighboring plants, and because the species is self-incompatible, red berries only form where two genetically distinct plants grow close enough to cross-pollinate.

Lily-of-the-valley has few insect problems, though leaf spot can occur. Its spreading rhizomes let it naturalize readily, and in regions with moist, cool winters it can become aggressive enough to be reported as invasive, forming dense colonies that crowd out other plants.

Flowers are cut in spring for bouquets and are especially valued in cutting gardens for their fragrance. The berries that sometimes follow are red, persist on the plant for roughly six to seven weeks, and are rarely produced in North America; all parts of the plant, including the berries, contain cardiac glycosides, so cut stems and fruit should be kept away from children and pets.

Ornamental: Lily-of-the-valley is grown as a shade groundcover for beds, slopes, and woodland or cottage gardens, and its fragrant racemes are cut for bouquets, including wedding flowers.

Industrial: The plant's fragrance has made it a long-used component of perfumery, and its compounds have also been used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Medicinal: In traditional medicine, a tonic made from lily-of-the-valley was historically used to treat heart problems.

Lily-of-the-valley is native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Asia. It was introduced to North America from Europe as a garden plant, from which it escaped cultivation and naturalized in woodlands and old homesteads.