Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is considered the ultimate harbinger of spring because of its pretty white flowers and sometimes very strong scent. What is less known is that there are different varieties of lily of the valley. Interesting facts about the types of lily of the valley.
What types of lily of the valley are there?
There are different types of lily of the valley such as Convallaria majalis Grandiflora, Lineata, Plena, Rosea, Hitscherberger Riesenperle, Silberconfolis, Hardwick Hall, Hofheim and Prolificans. They differ in flower color, leaf color and pattern as well as scent intensity and growth characteristics.
Not all lilies of the valley bloom white
The most well-known is the original form of the lily of the valley, which can be found in forests and valleys. It is called Convallaria majalis.
However, there are also some varieties whose flowers bloom pink. Varieties with double flowers are particularly decorative. The different varieties also differ in the color of their foliage: depending on the variety, the foliage of lily of the valley can be dark green, medium green or light green and have yellow stripes or white edges.
Special cultivars have a particularly large number of bell-shaped flowers on one stem. In other species, the flowers are very large or very small.
List of known types of lily of the valley
| Variety name | Flower color | leaves | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandiflora | White | Green | large flowers, strongly scented |
| Lineata | White | Green, yellow vertical stripes | |
| Plena | Pink-white | Green | double flowers |
| Rosea | Soft pink | Green | small flowers |
| Hitscherberg Giant Pearl | White | Green | long-stemmed, lots of flowers |
| Silverconfolis | White | Green with silvery leaf edges | very happy to grow |
| Hardwick Hall | White | Dark green with white leaf edge | |
| Hofheim | White | Green, light leaf edges | Leaf edge initially yellow, then white |
| Prolificans | White | Green | double flowers |
Strongly scented and barely scented varieties
If you want to care for lilies of the valley in pots, you should look for varieties that don't have such a strong scent. The scent of some species, such as “Grandiflora,” is so intense that it can give you a headache.
Lily of the valley as cut flowers
The long-stemmed variety “Hitscherberger Riesenperle” is particularly suitable as a cut flower. If you change the water daily, the flowers will last between four and six days in the vase.
Place lilies of the valley safely in the pot or vase so that children and pets cannot get to them. Lily of the valley is one of the highly poisonous flowers that can cause severe symptoms of poisoning if consumed.
Tip
If you look for lily of the valley bulbs in stores, you will almost exclusively find offers with the name “Convallaria majalis”. If you would like to plant special varieties, you will find them in specialized nurseries.
