I really like the contradictory nature of lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis).
The small, bell-shaped blooms look delicate and candy, but the plant is something however. It’s really robust as nails and may survive in some very hostile situations.
It additionally spreads itself determinedly. Some may say, too determinedly, because it’s listed as invasive or a noxious weed in lots of states.
The deer and rabbits keep away from it, and it’s proof against verticillium wilt.
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In our information to rising lily of the valley, we cowl the way to domesticate C. majalis in your panorama.
Most gardeners are acquainted with the species plant, with its inexperienced, sword-shaped leaves topped with stalks of white bell-like blossoms.
However this shade-loving plant is offered in a number of totally different variations.
The cultivars aren’t as straightforward to search out because the species, however should you look to specialty nurseries, you’ll nearly definitely have the ability to discover a number of fabulous choices.
Listed below are the thrilling varieties and cultivars that we’re going to debate:
19 Lily of the Valley Varieties
1. Albomarginata
“Albo” means white in Latin, and “marginata” means border. Put them collectively and what do you’ve?
White margins! The leaves of Albomarginata are inexperienced with, you guessed it, white margins.
It is a naturally-occurring selection and aside from the colour of the leaves, the flowers and dimension of the plant are the identical because the species.
2. Albostriata
I can’t get sufficient of the leaves of ‘Albostriata.’
They resemble a darkish inexperienced pinstripe swimsuit with pale yellow or white stripes. The identify “alba,” as talked about, is Latin for white, and “striata” means striped.
This absolute stunner goes by a number of names, together with ‘Striata’ or ‘Variegata.’
Every extensive leaf has pale yellow or pale inexperienced stripes. The lower flowers are attractive in a bouquet, however so are the leaves.
This one doesn’t unfold fairly as aggressively because the species plant, so it’s an ideal alternative the place you need to add some texture to your shady spots however don’t have to fret about it ranging uncontrolled.
3. Berlin Large
‘Berlin Large’ was appropriately named. It grows a lot taller than the species at over a foot in top, with proportionally bigger leaves and flowers.
Apart from its dimension, it appears to be like precisely just like the species plant we all know and love, making it perfect for the place you simply want one thing a bit bigger.
4. Bordeaux
‘Bordeaux’ has sturdy stems which might be barely longer than common and bigger, extra plentiful flowers.
Whereas the species usually produces about six to eight bell-shaped flowers per stem, ‘Bordeaux’ can carry as much as 12 per stem.
The foliage is a contact darker than the species and the guidelines of the leaves are extra rounded.
In case you like to make use of lily of the valley stems or leaves in bouquets, this is a superb choice.
5. Bridal Selection
‘Bridal Selection’ was tailored for bouquets, bridal or in any other case.
The strong flower stems are over a foot lengthy, bearing as much as 12 giant, extremely aromatic blooms.
The leaves are additionally proportionally bigger than the species. For the lower flower fanatic or bride-to-be, this cultivar is a winner.
6. Cream da Mint
This gorgeous cultivar sports activities mint-green leaves trimmed in pale yellow, giving it a luxurious, creamy, minty look.
Rick Sawyer of Fraser’s Thimble Farm found this sport in a bunch of crops that he’d left to their very own units.
The unique time period for cream mint in French is “creme de menthe.” However you’ll see this cultivar referred to as “cream da mint,” “creme de mint,” “cream de menthe,” and all other forms of iterations.
7. Dorien
‘Dorien,’ at first look, appears to be like like every other lily of the valley.
The shiny inexperienced lanceolate leaves emerge from a tidy rosette and develop to about 9 inches tall. However then the flowers emerge and you may see what units this cultivar aside.
Every white blossom is way bigger than the species, making a a lot grander visible influence within the backyard.
8. Fernwood’s Golden Slippers
This beautiful cultivar appeared as a sport of ‘Cream da Mint’ at Rick Sawyer’s Fernwood Nursery in Montville, Maine.
It virtually glows within the backyard with vivid chartreuse leaves edged in wonderful gold.
It’s not as aggressive because the species and grows a bit taller. In case you see a lily of the valley labeled as simply ‘Golden Slippers,’ it’s the identical one.
9. Flore Pleno
‘Flore Pleno’ has been a lily of the valley favourite for many years. The identify is Latin for “full flower” and is the proper description.
The frilly, cream-colored blooms are absolutely double, held on stems a bit longer than that of the species creating a formidable show.
This cultivar is usually listed as ‘Flore Plena.’
10. Fortin’s Large
Also called ‘Géant de Fortin,’ one take a look at the large blossoms and spectacular top and also you’ll perceive why ‘Fortin’s Large’ was so named.
The massive flowers seem on the tip of sturdy stalks that may be as much as 15 inches lengthy. Even after the flowers fade and the purple berries comply with, it makes for an outsized show.
11. Grandiflora
Because the identify suggests, this cultivar has massive flowers! The leaves and flower stalks are just about the identical because the species plant, however the fairly white blooms are a lot bigger.
They give the impression of being identical to these of the species, however as if you’re viewing them by means of a magnifying glass.
The flowers are additionally much more aromatic than regular.
12. Inexperienced Tapestry
The leaves of attractive ‘Inexperienced Tapestry’ are striped, mottled, and splotched in lighter shades of inexperienced towards a darkish inexperienced backdrop.
When the white blossoms aren’t current, it’s harking back to a forged iron plant (Aspidistra spp.). However then the aromatic bells seem and it’s all lily of the valley.
13. Haldon Grange
Haldon Grange is a beloved backyard in Exeter, England. The lily of the valley plant named after it stands out with inexperienced leaves lined in vivid yellow.
We’re not speaking some pale creamy yellow, both. The margins are vivid, daring yellow!
The flowers are extremely aromatic and the plant is an especially vigorous grower, which is saying lots for a species that’s already identified for its robustness.
Despite that, it’s not any extra aggressive than the species.
14. Hardwick Corridor
Named for the well-known house of the beloved English backyard, ‘Hardwick Corridor’ is one other variegated sort. Regardless of being a quick grower, it isn’t as aggressive because the species.
It options extensive, darkish inexperienced leaves with creamy white margins. The sturdy stems make this one perfect to be used in lower flower preparations as effectively.
15. Hofheim
‘Hofheim’ delights with the standard bell-shaped white flowers, however it’s the leaves that basically make this cultivar stand out.
The inexperienced leaves have margins that change from vivid yellow to white, with mild inexperienced blended in. Plus, the stripes may lengthen into the facilities of the leaf blades.
16. Lineata
‘Lineata’ holds a particular place in my coronary heart. I’ve by no means been capable of finding it on the market in my neck of the woods, sadly.
The plant is similar dimension with the identical blossoms because the species, however the leaves have skinny yellow and cream stripes working their size.
The sample is extraordinarily eye-catching, even when the plant isn’t in bloom. This cultivar grows and spreads a bit slower than the species.
17. Potsdam Stripe
‘Potsdam Stripe’ is a candy little variegated cultivar with creamy white stripes, which makes it look a bit like ‘Albostriata.’
However the stripes are wider than these of ‘Albostriata’ and the plant grows to a petite 10 inches tall.
It was found in Potsdam Park, Germany, and stabilized by breeder Eduard Hachunda.
18. Prolificans
It would seem like ‘Prolificans’ has double flowers, however in actuality, there are simply so many, packed very tightly on the flower stalks.
The flowers are usually white however may be faintly pink on stems as much as a foot tall.
This plant is much less aggressive than the species and tends to not unfold very a lot.
19. Rose
‘Rose,’ ‘Rosea,’ or ‘Pink,’ as this cultivar is variously referred to as, options child pink as an alternative of white or cream flowers.
It appears to be like like a painter used a paintbrush to present the flowers a faint mauve hue.
Rose Lily of the Valley
This one will cheerfully unfold by means of the backyard, including coloration and texture because it goes.
You could find baggage of three crowns out there at Burpee.
Or you may snap up a six-pack at Nature Hills Nursery.
A Delicate-But-Robust Magnificence With So Many Choices
What would we do with out lily of the valley? There’d be numerous naked shady patches in gardens world wide.
However we aren’t restricted to only the basic species. There are stripes, splotches, pink flowers, and varied sizes on the market to brighten up our shade gardens.
Did I miss a specific cultivar that you simply adore? Share the small print about it with us within the feedback!
And for extra details about rising lily of the valley, take a look at these guides subsequent:
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