Lily
of the valley flower early in the season. This season I think to
plant it in large containers with petite hostas and dwarf hardy
cannas. Usually
growth begins to form quickly, in just a week or so, depending on
temperature so I'll choose warmer sites for these containers.
I love to cut the petite bell-shaped flowers for small, scented bouquets. This will not hurt the plants.
After blooming has finished for the season I leave the foliage in place; I don’t cut it off as I do with all bulbs. My lily of the valley rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle in spring.
Lily
of the valley can be forced in just 3 to 4 weeks indoors for
much-needed middle of the winter fragrance, you can have "spring"
delivered early to yourself or to someone.
I learned that Lily of the valley was also used as the national flower of Finland.
Warning:
it's highly toxic by ingestion. Toxicity is the plant's defense
against animals eating its seeds. All parts of the plant: stems,
leaves, flowers and small orange-red berries are extremely poisonous
and close to 40 different cardiac glycosides have been found in the
plant so far.
These photos were taken in Arboretum Mustila, Kouvola, during my trip to Finland.
These photos were taken in Arboretum Mustila, Kouvola, during my trip to Finland.
Such sweet and fragrant little flowers! I was lucky to inherit a little patch of these with my garden. They bloom by the front door and their fragrance is always very welcome! Nice to know that this is the national flower of Finland!
ReplyDeleteYes, they are very fragrant flowers, Peter. I'd like opening the front door to smell lily of valley as you do.
DeleteI hear them ringing as bells!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu,
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
They are ringing: spring is here!
DeleteLily of the Valley was my grandmother’s favourite flower and I have lots in my garden. I love the orange berries in the autumn. I have pulled lots of roots to go into my new garden.
ReplyDeleteHi, Helene!
DeleteGlad you're well and thinking about your new garden. Good luck with the moving and take care.
Thanks - I would need to be half- dead if I stop thinking about my garden :-)
DeleteOh, Nadezda, what wonderful photos! We don't see even the leaves of these plants yet, and are very much looking forward to enjoying their beautiful blooms and enchanting fragrance.
ReplyDeleteYes, Lily of the Valley was voted to be our national flower in 1967. It's lovely to hear you have visited Finland. I hope you enjoyed your stay!
Have a beautiful May full of flowers!
Hope lily of valley will soon flower in your garden, Sara. Yes, I had nice time in Arboretum Mustila.
DeleteBardzo lubię konwalie. Piękne kwiatuszki.
ReplyDeleteUwielbiam także konwalie, miss-cherry!
DeleteVery nice pictures. Thank you for dropping in my blog: http://pihakuiskaajanpuutarha.blogspot.fi/
ReplyDeleteLet's keep in contact.
Hi, Anneli!
DeleteI agree I will read you blog as well.
I would love to have a small patch of these too Nadezda girl : )
ReplyDeleteI love that bouquet !! it is gorgeous and the scent must be heavenly.
I need to get out and water my garden .. but the deck is being worked on so things are a mess ... but ? the borders are filling up with plants that are stretching out and smiling at me finally !
I didn't know that was the national flower of Finland ... I have learned a new thing today, thank you !
Joy
PS ... Happy May Day !
Happy may day, Joy!
DeleteIt said it's a fest of labor, so you do work hard. I can imagine how nice your garden will soon be.
Hello Nadezda!!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful little white flowers!
I have'nt seen them in my area!
Gorgeous pictures!
Have a happy May!
Dimi...
Yes, they are, Dimi.
DeleteHappy May day to you too!
What delicate and lovely flowers. They look as good in the vase as they do in the garden. Here we are in autumn, and so the freshness of your post is a welcome contrast.
ReplyDeleteI think Juliet that autumn is pretty season in NZ. The spring here is not warm enough and some flowers are late, but fresh and lovely.
DeleteThank you, Maria. I will follow your blog too.
ReplyDeleteEsas pequeñas campanitas son preciosas Nadezda. Me encanta el bonito adorno has hecho con ellas !!
ReplyDeleteBuen fin de semana.
Un beso.
Gracias, Laura, buen domingo!
DeleteMy birthday is in May and my mum always used to pick a bunch for me on my birthday, Sadly she is no longer with us and I can't get them to grow in my garden.
ReplyDeleteDear Sue,
DeleteI lost my mother too, and I hope some day someone will bring you a lot of lily of valley on your birthday.
I love seeing this beautiful plant in pictures, unfortunately, it is a weed in my garden and I can't pull it up quick enough Nadezda. Wishing yours well :)
ReplyDeleteHappy May Day!
Yes, this plant may be a weed, you're right Angie. Here in our climate lily of valley aren't a weed because of frost during some months.
DeleteScent of lily of the valley is heavenly. At the moment my garden is filled with scent of hyacinths and this is very lovely too!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how wonderful is your garden now, Tistou. Happy spring!
DeleteI´m really fond of lillies-of-the-valley and they are rather invasive in my garden. Usually they bloom early May, buds are sweling now but for flowers we have to wait another few days I think.
ReplyDeleteWish you a lovely Sunday!
Here they aren't blooming everywhere just in some warmer spots too, Janneke.
DeleteHave a nice vernal week!
My favorite flower as it is my birth month flower...I have some growing but hope to move some more around...and the scent is heavenly...thanks for showing how to force it inside for winter. I just saw mine popping up with buds that will be open early this year with all the warm weather we are having.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice you'll soon have a bouquet of lily of the valley, Donna.
DeleteHappy birthday to you, dear!
Lovely delicate little blooms. I've avoided planting any here, because they can be invasive in our area. I'd like to find a spot where I can contain them.
ReplyDeleteI grow mint and lemon balm in a wide low can (without a bottom) so you could plant lily of the valley the same way if it's such invasive in your area, Rose.
DeleteYour lily of the valley pictures are very nice. I do love the scent of this pretty little flower. In France on the 1st of May it is Labor Day and also the day that everyone gives some lily of the valley to family and friends. It is a long tradition and is supposed to bring happiness. My father always brought some for my mother and me, as well as my grandpa to my grandma. I wrote a post on it in 2011 here it is: http://avagabonde.blogspot.com/2011/04/blog-intermission-entracte-no-10-may.html . I have many vintage postcards with lily of the valley with happy greetings.
ReplyDeleteHi, Vagabonde!
DeleteI love this French tradition of good luck! I've read your post of 2011 and I liked an embroidered handkerchief on one of photos.
What a lovely flower this is! I haven't seen it a lot over here and certainly not in the amount you show us. Love how you arranged them into a wonderful bouquet. The scent must be amazing.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, Marian!
DeleteGlad you're with us blogging as always.
Lily of the valley is such a charming plant and I adore the smell. It always makes me think of when I was a child and I was told the name, and I wondered which valley it was the lily of!
ReplyDeleteI often read your blog, for your knowledge and skill I like to see how you manage in what is in some ways an inhospitable environment for plant growing, being so very cold in the winter. . Finally I have followed it. I wonder why I did not do so before. :)
Sure I have problem in growing and preparing for winter my plants, Jenny. But.. the gardeners are so that 'a difficult child is the most loved' (Russian proverb) Thank you for following my blog!
DeleteI had no idea Lily of the Valley was a national flower of Finland. It makes for a wonderful groundcover.
ReplyDeleteYes, it does, Jason.
DeleteHow I love these flowers !!! Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures !!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend :)
You're welcome Ela!
DeleteHello Nadezda,
ReplyDeleteYour lilies are beautiful. Lovely vase of flowers.
Greetings.
Lucia