In Season: Lily of the Valley

Sweetly scented with pretty, bell-shaped flowers, lily of the valley or Convallaria majalis, is a much-loved flower. It is also a royal favourite; grown in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, it featured in the late Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, Kate Middleton’s wedding bouquet and was also the flower of choice for Princess Grace of Monaco.

In France, on 1st May, posies of ‘Muguets des bois’ are handed out as a symbol of spring, while in Helston, Cornwall, at the traditional Floral Dance held on 6th May, lily of the valley is worn to represent the coming of May and summer.

It is also appropriately enough, May’s birth flower, giving peace and wisdom to all born in this month. While in the Victorian language of flowers, lily of the valley signified a return to happiness.

Although lily of the valley is a spring-flowering plant, it is available to buy as a cut flower all year round, but is far more costly when out of season. It also requires different conditioning to other cut flowers; the key is to keep it cool and hydrated.

Caring for lily of the valley

• If delivered still attached to the rhizome, don’t cut the flowers off until they are needed. Instead, leave the paper wrapping around the flowers and place the base of the plant in shallow, fresh water at a temperature of 0-1°C.

• Once cut, keep them in shallow water in a cooler, If they start to look limp, they can be revived by submerging in cold water for up to an hour.

• Before using in bouquets, hang the flowers upside down for a while so that they receive maximum hydration from the stem. As lily of the valley do not last well once out of water, they are not suitable for buttonholes or corsages on a hot day.

Vase Life: 4-6 days.

Colour: Pure white, pale pink.

Form: Line.

Stem: Soft.

• Store away from heat, cold draughts and sources of ethylene gas.

• All parts are toxic, wash hands, tools and workbench after use.

• Cool conditions will reduce the flower’s fragrance.

Did you know? Lily of the Valley was Christian Dior’s favourite fragrance and its also the National Flower of Finland.

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Su Whale is a florist and freelance writer with over thirty years' experience in the floristry industry. She is the author and publisher of three best-selling books: Cut Flowers, 4th edition (2020) Cut Foliage, 2nd Edition, (2021) and Houseplants (2019), all bookshelf essentials for the professional florist.

"With this increased demand there has never been a better time to stock and celebrate British grown. "