The smell of lily of the valley is one of ethereal sweetness. I remember on my wedding day, our good friend and brides maid Nicolette gave me scent of this wonderful flower. Also Peter mentioned that Lily of the valley was his late mother’s favourite flower. It is so fresh and pure. Its innocent scent is intoxicating and its tiny white button bell shaped flowers are delicately strung in a stem protected by densely clumped green leaves. Once you have smelled lily of the valley, the memory of it lingers. Although care must be taken as parts of the plant are poisonous.
Lily of the Valley is also known in the Christian faith as Lady’s tears or Mary’s tears, the white delicate bells being the the mother of Jesus, Virgin Mary’s tears which were shed during her beloved son’s crucifixion.
The name “lily of the valley” is used in some English translations of the Bible in Song of Songs 2:1, However the phrase translated form the Hebrew “shoshannat-ha-amaqim” in the original text (literally “lily of the valleys“) does not refer to this plant. It is possible, though, that the biblical phrase may have had something to do with the origin or development of the modern plant-name.
It is a symbol of humility in religious painting. Lily of the valley is considered the sign of Christ’s second coming. and to envision a better world was also attributed to the lily of the valley.
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Cultivation of lily of the valley
The clumped roots should be divided ready for replanting during spring or autumn.
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Planting time:
Lily of the valley should be planted in athe autumn or spring.
Flowring time:
in May
WARNING:
As a precaution, be careful with the seeds of lily of the valley as they can be poisonous.