Description
Convallaria majalis ‘Prolificans’
There are two ways in which this variety differs from the other Lily-of-the-Valley. Firstly the flower stalks can branch a little to give more flowers to the stem and secondly the flowers themselves are broader and double so that they create a fuller effect. All together a lot more ‘bang for your buck’ than the species, but possibly at the expense of some of the simple elegant charm. Later into flower than most of the rest as well so useful to extend the season.
Convallaria
Lily-of-the-Valley. One of those perennials that really needs no introduction. It is native to Britain and is particularly common on Lime rich soils, growing thick tangled mats of root in woodland situations. Each node produces two broad leaves in the middle of which nestle the stiff little spikes hung on one side with little fragrant white bells, each with a narrowed frilly opening like an old-fashioned maids bonnet. Lily-of-the-Valley is easily grown and adaptable and particularly suited to leaving alone in difficult dry situations where it will happily carpet and provide fragrant little posies each Spring.
Lily-of-the-Valley is the national flower of Finland. In flower lore it is said to stand for humility, chastity, sweetness and purity and bring luck in love. It also brings the promise of a return to happiness. Humility comes from the story that a young St John offered Lily-of-the-Valley to the Virgin Mary. The religious connection goes further. Children would bring flowers to church at Pentecost, referring to them as ladders to Heaven and counting each flower as an angel.
Convallaria comes from conval, a valley, and rica, a cloak. That is they cloth the valley, a reference to their preferring sheltered sites.
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