Lily Of The Valley
Convallaria keiskei

Family: Convallariaceae

What it is like

Convallaria keiskei is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Highlands and mountain meadows all over Japan.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Siberia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

The whole plant is cooked as a potherb or put in miso soup. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. The flowers and flower buds are preserved in salt or mixed with leaf tea and drunk.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Plants can be grown as a ground cover in woodland shade or in a shrubbery.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Succeeds in almost any situation, including the dense dry shade of large trees. Prefers a position in semi-shade in a moderately fertile well-drained moist woodland soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are hardy to -20°c or lower. A good bee plant. A very ornamental plant, though it can become very invasive once it is established. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, otherwise in late winter, in a cold frame. Germination, particularly of stored seed can be very slow, taking 2 - 12 months or more at 15°c. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be allowed to grow on undisturbed in the pot for their first year. Apply a liquid feed during the growing season to ensure that the seedlings are well fed. Divide the young plants into individual pots when they die down in late summer and grow them on in pots in a shady position in a cold frame for at least another year before planting them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant. Division in September. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

All parts of the plant are poisonous. However, the toxic principle is very poorly absorbed when taken orally so poisoning is unlikely to occur.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. japonica. C. majalis. non L. C. majalis keiskei. (Miq.)Maxim. C. majalis mandschurica.