April Perennial of the Month-Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley, Convallaria majalis, with its charming white flowers and intoxicating fragrance, has held symbolic meaning for centuries in Europe and Asia, where the plant is native. It’s also beloved on this side of the pond, where it has naturalized throughout much of the Eastern and northern U.S.
The plant has deep Christian meaning and is associated with the Virgin Mary, sometimes even called “Mary’s Tears” because of a legend that says that the flower sprang from her tears when Jesus was crucified. Another Christian legend names the plant “Eve’s Tears” from being cast out of Eden.
I find the Christian symbology interesting in the fact that both legends represent some of the darkest moments in Bible history, while the innocent-looking white flowers that have been chosen to represent birth, renewal, joy, and purity are HIGHLY toxic. On the same note, the tiny, bell-shaped flowers have also been used traditionally in wedding bouquets for brides, totally oblivious to the poisonous posies they carried down the aisle.
Lily of the valley grows 6-12” high and is often used for ground cover where the spreading nature of the rhizomes can fill in large shady patches. Although it prefers rich, yet well-drained soils, it seems to tolerate root competition under trees if provided with enough moisture. Bright orange berries appear after the early spring flowers fade, which, although they are quite showy, are equally poisonous as the innocent-looking flowers. Fragrant, charming, and just as portrayed in the Breaking Bad TV series, deadly.
The brightly colored fruits are highly toxic-keep pets and children away.
What I love about this plant;
-Charming flowers.
-Highly fragrant.
-Tolerates full shade.
-Deer resistant.
-Historical meaning.
What’s not so great;
-All parts are HIGHLY toxic to humans and pets due to high levels of cardiac glycosides. Please be cautious if you have it in your garden!
-Prone to mites, aphids, stem rot, and anthracnose.
-Foliage can turn ugly in dry summers, and is difficult to clean up.
-Can spread aggressively, so best under trees or shrubs, not in borders.
-Difficult to remove.
-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2026, All rights reserved.
