Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is a charming woodland perennial, celebrated globally for its delicate, bell-shaped flowers and sweet fragrance. It is often featured in wedding bouquets and is central to the May Day celebration in various cultures. Yes, this plant is available for purchase, but its form and availability depend heavily on the season. Purchase options range from live specimens for cultivation to cut stems for immediate display.
Available Forms of Lily of the Valley for Purchase
The plant is commonly sold in several physical forms. The most prevalent option for gardeners is bare roots, also known as “pips.” These underground rhizomes contain the growth buds and are meant for planting directly into the soil.
Potted plants are also readily available, typically sold in the spring when the plant is actively growing or beginning to bloom, offering immediate visual appeal. They are preferred for container gardening or transplanting into a garden bed. Cut flowers, prized for their fragrance in floral arrangements, are available but are perishable and difficult to source fresh. Seeds are the least common method of purchase, requiring a much longer time and specific conditions to mature into flowering plants.
Seasonal Availability and Sourcing
Purchasing Lily of the Valley is highly seasonal, dictated by its growing cycle. Cut flowers are available during a short window in the late spring, typically late April and May, coinciding with the natural bloom time. Due to their fragile nature and high demand for events like weddings, fresh-cut stems often require special ordering through a florist.
For growing the plant, bare roots or pips are commonly stocked by nurseries and garden centers in the fall and winter months. Planting in the autumn allows the rhizomes to establish roots before the ground freezes, resulting in a stronger plant in the spring. Potted, actively growing plants are found at garden centers during the spring. Online vendors and specialized bulb retailers provide all forms, including bare roots and seeds, often making them available year-round for appropriate climates.
Toxicity and Safe Handling
Despite its delicate appearance and delightful scent, all parts of the Convallaria majalis plant are poisonous if ingested. This toxicity is due to cardiac glycosides, chemical compounds that include convallatoxin. These glycosides interfere with the heart’s function by inhibiting the sodium-potassium pump in heart muscle cells.
Ingestion of any part, including foliage, flowers, and berries, can cause severe gastrointestinal distress like nausea and vomiting. Serious cases can lead to bradycardia (slow heart rate) and various arrhythmias. The plant poses a risk to young children and household pets who might accidentally ingest it.
Safe handling practices are necessary when working with this plant. Wear gloves when handling bare roots or cut flowers to prevent skin irritation. Keep the plant out of reach of children and pets. Gardeners must also be careful not to confuse its leaves with edible wild plants like ramps or wild leeks, as they look similar early in the season. If ingestion is suspected, immediate medical attention is necessary, as symptoms can progress quickly to a serious cardiac event.
Cultivating Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley is a resilient perennial that thrives in conditions mimicking its native woodland habitat. It prefers partial to full shade, as harsh afternoon sun can scorch its leaves. The ideal soil is rich in organic matter, consistently moist, and well-drained, though the plant tolerates a range of soil types.
The plant is known for its vigorous, spreading nature, achieved through underground stems called rhizomes. While this makes it an excellent, low-maintenance groundcover, it can become aggressive, forming dense colonies that outcompete other plants. Gardeners often need to establish physical barriers or plant them in containers to contain growth.