Common Name: Lily of the Valley
Family: Asparagaceae
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial (rhizomatous groundcover)
Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Spread: 0.5 to 1.0 foot (spreads via rhizomes)
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Nodding, bell-shaped white (occasionally pink) flowers
Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
Water Needs: Medium
Soil Preference: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained; tolerates clay
Maintenance Level: Low
Suggested Use: Groundcover, woodland gardens, shade borders
Attracts: Pollinators (early spring bees)
Tolerates: Shade, clay soil, deer
Notable Features: Strong fragrance, dense spreading habit, spring bloom
Native Range: Europe and parts of temperate Asia; widely naturalized in North America. Not native to Nebraska.
Nebraska Growing Notes:
Convallaria majalis is a cold-hardy groundcover that performs well in shaded gardens across Nebraska. While not native, it is widely cultivated for its early spring fragrance, attractive foliage, and tolerance of shade and clay soils. Its rhizomatous growth habit allows it to form dense, low-maintenance colonies—ideal for underplanting shrubs or filling shady nooks.
Landscape Use:
Excellent for woodland borders, beneath deciduous trees, or along shaded foundations. Its fragrant flowers and tough foliage make it both ornamental and functional in areas where turf or more delicate perennials struggle.
Caution:
Spreads aggressively in moist, shaded soils and can be difficult to remove once established. All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested—use caution around pets and children.
Garden Locations:
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